With the new Ligue 1 season about to get underway, Get French Football News’ journalists make their predictions, picking their title winner, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League qualifiers, the relegation candidates, the Player of the Season and the Golden Boot winner. 

Who will be crowned Ligue 1 champion?

Liam Wraith, Sub-editor

It feels unlikely that PSG will not win the title again this year. Even without the goals of Kylian Mbappé, the champions have more than enough quality within their squad to retain the crown. However, I would expect a much closer fight with several teams potentially challenging.

George Boxall, Sub-editor

Despite the void left by Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid, reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG still look well-stocked with individual talent across the pitch. Les Parisiens‘ younger players look ready to take the mantle, and they should – on paper – win the league once more under Luis Enrique.

Basiten Cheval, sub-editor

There will be no surprises – PSG will win their fourth Ligue 1 in a row. The gulf in game-winning talent, compared to the rest of the league remains obvious and I see no team consistently challenging Les Parisiens for the long haul and matching their pace. I do hope to see some PSG players stepping up to prove their worth in the absence of Kylian Mbappé.

Nick Hartland, Sub-editor

There is every possibility that PSG could have a slow start to the 2024/25 season. International competitions led to a delayed and miniaturised pre-season, which is hardly ideal when the team still has to learn to play without Kylian Mbappé. However, PSG started slowly last season and still won the league at a canter

Who will qualify for the Champions League?

LUKE – Marseille look to have made the right moves to correct the failures of last season. Their strengthened squad, the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi, and the lack of European football all help put OM in a strong position. Monaco have had a quiet summer and the continuity should also keep last season’s runners-up competitive. Lyon could continue their rise and take the final Champions League spot.

LIAM – Lyon’s remarkable comeback last term and ambitious transfer window spells a signal of intent to be back in UEFA’s premier competition and I believe they could do it. Monaco should have more than enough to retain their UCL status and with De Zerbi’s arrival at Marseille it feels hard to picture them outside of the top 4. All three teams could equally challenge for the title. 

GEORGE – With the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and no European distractions this season, Marseille look poised for that second spot. Meanwhile, Monaco look settled going into Adi Hütter’s second season despite the departure of Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan but they should be able to clinch that podium spot. Expect the Pierre Sage revolution to continue at Lyon. With some smart recruits and positive momentum, Les Gones could sneak into that fourth spot.

BASTIEN – Monaco were one of the most exciting Ligue 1 teams to watch last year and I expect Adi Hütter’s talented squad to pick up where it left off, although the Riviera side must be wary of the added strain of the 8 games waiting for them in the revamped Champions League Marseille won’t have this problem as there won’t be European football at the Vélodrome. A podium spot should be the bare minimum for Roberto De Zerbi’s Phocéens following an ambitious summer transfer window driven by the Italian manager. The statement signing of Georges Mikautadze and the fact Lyon now boast a coherent squad should help Pierre Sage cement Les Gones back into the country’s elite.

NICK – Monaco were second-best last season and have kept most of the key ingredients. Another strong season should be expected. Roberto De Zerbi is an exceptional manager and could guide Marseille back to Europe; alternatively, their brand new squad could implode spectacularly. Lille have lost Leny Yoro and manager Paulo Fonseca but remain competitive and the squad – as it stands – should be enough for Champions League football.

Who will qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League?

LUKE – The appointment of the accomplished Franck Haise will offset the budgetary restraints and drain of top talents (Khéphren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo) at Nice. There could be a drop-off at Lille following Paulo Fonseca’s departure but the importance of retaining Jonathan David cannot be understated. The battle between the two teams for fifth and sixth could be close.

LIAM – The Europa qualification battle looks exciting. Lille have been weakened during the window which could see them drop a few places in the table but nothing catastrophic. They should see remain in some form of European qualification. Haise’s arrival at Nice also means they should challenge for European spots.

GEORGE – This is where I see the league opening up a little this season. Franck Haise’s new-look Nice and a more defensively resolute Lille side under Bruno Génésio look like the two most solid contenders on paper. Will Still’s Lens side could also be in the conversation, but they lack a bit of firepower up front following Elye Wahi’s departure to OM.

BASTIEN – Should Lille retain the services of free-scoring Jonathan David, I expect them to finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League. Bruno Genesio has the players and the experience needed to build around the foundations laid by Paulo Fonseca and Lille. Ineos-owned Nice are having a cultural reset with Francesco Farioli making way for Franck Haise. The entertainment at the Allianz Riviera should therefore greatly improve, but I’m not so sure about the results. Les Aiglons have parted ways with Jean-Clair Todibo and Khéphren Thuram and also lost Terem Moffi through injury but I’d back Nice to secure European qualification at the end of the season.

NICK – Lyon were excellent under Pierre Sage last year. European football stretching the squad this time around is, however, a concern, but the team is talented and well-funded. Last season was difficult and Rennes should bounce back from disappointment. How high they can bounce is the question.

Who will be relegated?

LUKE – Having made a shock immediate return to Ligue 1, Angers are very much relegation fodder. Nantes, who to Antoine Kombouaré’s frustration, have failed to overhaul the squad also look in trouble. Montpellier could also be in danger given their inability to strengthen. They only survived since a strong start last season; they were in freefall in the second half of the campaign.

LIAM – Saint-Étienne were the weakest performers of the newly promoted sides in Ligue 2 last season and they could teeter on the edge. Nantes have struggled to bolster their squad and I believe they could be the latest former giant to suffer. Angers also look primed to suffer. 

GEORGE – Waldemar Kita and Nantes, your time is up. After very little movement in the transfer market and the loss of Moussa Sissoko; it looks like a challenging season for Les Canaris. Whilst Christophe Pélissier is known as a specialist in promotion/staying up, Auxerre actually look a little weaker than the squad that got promoted. Likewise, I don’t see Angers having enough to stay up this season.

BASTIEN – Angers are yet to bolster their ranks other than with loan returns and free transfers, which is to be expected when you reportedly boast the lowest budget in the league (€25m). I fear Ligue 1 may again prove a step too far for this Angers side but I hope they won’t live a season as disastrous as the 2022-2023 campaign when they finished bottom last with 28 losses. Montpellier are yet ro register a single recruit due to their financial struggles following the domestic TV rights debacle. The latter may even force La Paillade to part ways with their most valuable players. Michel Der Zakarian’s exhausting playing style, added to the uncertainties of the club’s future mean a perfect storm looks headed Montpellier’s way. Despite Christophe Pelissier’s pedigree when it comes to maintaining his sides in the French top tier, the lack of Ligue 1 experience at Auxerre may prove detrimental to their hopes of survival. The last-minute departure of talented midfielder Gauthier Hein is a considerable blow to Auxerre’s ambitions.

NICK – The leap from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 is difficult and for Saint-Étienne and Angers, there are serious worries about their preparedness at this level. Le Havre ensured safety last season, but the arrival of a relatively inexperienced manager in Didier Digard and a lack of signings is cause for concern.

Who will be named Player of the Season?

LUKE – In his debut season at the Principality club, Denis Zakaria established himself as one of the most versatile midfielders in Ligue 1, both in and out of possession. Now without Youssouf Fofana alongside him and having been handed the armband, he has increased responsibility in both phases of play but he looks up to the challenge.

LIAM – With Kylian Mbappé’s absence, Ousmane Dembélé has the perfect opportunity to step up as PSG’s offensive leader, filling the void with his creativity and explosive pace. If he can begin to convert his chances into goals – and it is a big if – he could be the star behind another title-winning season.

GEORGE – Vitinha had a stellar campaign at the heart of PSG’s midfield last season in Ligue 1, and it’ll likely continue this season. Under Luis Enrique, the Portuguese international has come out of the shadows and become a leader for the side. With no star replacement – yet – for Kylian Mbappé, he looks to be one of the most important cogs in Luis Enrique’s side.

BASTIEN – Vitinha was in my top three for Player of the Year last season after mastering Les Parisiens’ midfield, thanks to his vision, positional awareness, passing range and ball-striking ability. With PSG recruiting a defensive midfielder in João Neves, I expect his fellow countryman to flourish even more in an advanced role.

NICK – From an almost ostracised figure, who fell out with Lionel Messi and Neymar, to an influential presence in last year’s run to the Champions League semi-final. Mbappé’s departure has left a leadership vacumn, and one that Vitinha could fill. Velvet and steel, it’s hard not to fall for the Portuguese international.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

LUKE – Without Kylian Mbappé, the race for the Golden Boot is wide open. Georges Mikautadze and Alexandre Lacazette both look like strong candidates, whilst Folarin Balogun is expected to have a better campaign than last time out. Jonathan David, a proven goalscorer in Ligue 1 and one that finished behind only Mbappé in the rankings last season, should be the favourite.

LIAM – Georges Mikautadze was the most prolific forward in the league in the second half of last season and his arrival at Lyon after an impressive EURO 2024 should see that trend continue.  If the Georgian can keep up his impressive form in front of goal and spearhead OL back to Champions League football, he could take the Golden Boot.  

GEORGE – After signing at OL, Georges Mikautadze certainly has all the tools to be Ligue 1’s deadliest marksman next season. A joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 (albeit shared between six players) and after scoring 13 for a struggling Metz side in his last campaign, I think he could do really well in Sage’s system this term.

BASTIEN – To take up Kylian Mbappé’s mantle, the safe bet would be to assume Ligue 1’s top scorer will most likely be the main goal supplier for PSG. Despite limited game time and having lost six kilograms due to a virus, Gonçalo Ramos logged 11 league goals last season. My feeling is the 23-year-old will thrive for his sophomore campaign under the tutelage of Luis Enrique.

NICK – Transfers off the back of an international tournament are notoriously risky, but Georges Mikautadze has proven that he’s the real deal. Returning to his boyhood club looks the right move, and there’s hope that, with a host of last year’s top scorers either leaving or angling for a move away, the former Metz man can climb the goalscoring charts.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle