The new Ligue 1 season is rapidly approaching and champions Paris Saint-Germain are facing up to life without Kylian Mbappe.
While his departure has been expected for a while, it’s now up to head coach Luis Enrique to take this side in a new direction.
Behind them, there’s an interesting mix of sides vying for Europe. While departures are inevitable for French sides without PSG’s backing, there are some interesting appointments and signings ahead of the new campaign.
Before the new season gets underway, below are some of the standout outright bets for the 2024/25 campaign.
- MARSEILLE TO WIN LIGUE 1 W/O PSG
- PSG, MARSEILLE, MONACO TOP 3 EXACT ORDER
- LYON TO FINISH IN THE TOP 4
- ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE TO BE LIGUE 1 TOP SCORER
Bet On Ligue 1
Will De Zerbi’s Gamble Pay Off?
After two successful seasons with Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi was earning glances from big clubs both in the Premier League and beyond. His decision to immediately jump back into management was a surprise, especially at a Marseille side who finished eighth last term.
The 2023/24 campaign was terrible for OM, with away woes plaguing them all season. The squad did show what they’re capable of with a run to the Europa League semis, but their eighth-place finish means the club misses out on Europe altogether this term.
De Zerbi is gambling his reputation on turning things around at the Velodrome, but he has enjoyed a lot of backing. The club have already signed Bamo Meite, Ismael Kone, Lilian Brassier, Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Their total outlay has already topped £40million.
Marseille aren’t done there, with links to more players including interest in some ambitious targets. The club are clearly aiming high this term by targeting Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko and Inter Milan’s Valentin Carboni.
The club are putting together a squad who can make a lot of noise next season. They’re under a talented coach who has a track record of making fast starts at new clubs.
De Zerbi took Shakthar Donetsk top of the Ukrainian league before he departed, while his Brighton side were incredibly well coached, although they took a step back in his second season.
Unlike last year, De Zerbi won’t have Europe getting in the way. He’s got plenty of time to get his style of play across and he’s doing it with an improved side.
Back him to lead Marseille back up the table, potentially even challenging PSG.
MARSEILLE TO WIN LIGUE 1 W/O PSG
PSG A Step Above Chasing Pack
Despite Mbappe frequently bailing them out last season, PSG are heavy favourites to retain the French title.
While their superstar has departed, there’s hope that winger Bradley Barcola can step up and build on an impressive debut campaign in Paris.
Enrique’s approach never really suited midfielder destroyer Manuel Ugarte, who was an odd choice as his holding midfielder.
The signing of Benfica’s Joao Neves fixes that problem, offering the French champions a player who will take care of the ball.
Despite their star leaving, PSG maintain the division’s deepest squad after pivoting to targeting up-and-coming young players and they should be able to outlast a Marseille side who are aiming to make a huge jump from midtable.
Last season’s runners-up Monaco are expected to have another strong season, but the added requirements of the Champions League this season should allow Marseille to overtake them.
Those three sides stand out in terms of squad depth, so back the trio in an exact forecast to boost the price of odds-on favourites PSG.
PSG, MARSEILLE, MONACO TOP-3 EXACT ORDER
Lyon To Continue Incredible Climb
Lyon finished sixth last season to book a return to the Europa League, but six months earlier they were under threat of relegation.
A dire start left them bottom of the table and facing the drop to Ligue 2, having cycled through two managers in a matter of months.
The club had to pivot and they appointed Pierre Sage as their temporary boss. He made that role his own with an incredible burst of form, which took the club flying up the table.
From the point that Sage took charge in late November to the end of the campaign, Lyon won the joint-most points alongside PSG.
The club have secured permanent deals for a number of loan players who helped their turnaround and they’re not done adding to the side, so Sage should be able to continue this remarkable turnaround.
European commitments may hamper them from repeating last season’s title-contending form to close out the campaign.
However, they’re a good bet for a return to the Champions League as they are finally showing signs of moving in the right direction.
LYON TO FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR
Lacazette Can Impress Once Again
A key part of Lyon’s fantastic finish to the season was Alexandre Lacazette, who ended up scoring 19 goals.
That tally was only bettered by Mbappe, while he finished level with Lille Jonathan David in second.
The former Arsenal forward is seen as an outsider in the Golden Boot chase this time around. However, it’s worth noting that 16 of his 19 goals came after Sage took charge in November. That slow start matched Lyon’s terrible early form, but he spearheaded their turnaround.
Lacazette’s contract is up at the end of the season and he’s expected to depart the club for the second time.
The forward returned to the club after falling out of favour at Arsenal, but he has been fantastic in Ligue 1 over the last couple of years.
Lacazette has struck 46 goals in just 64 matches in his second spell with Lyon.
That incredible form suggests he can impress this season, especially if it is his final year with the club.
Sage has built a solid side which provides Lacazette with plenty of chances, as seen in his red-hot finish to the last campaign.
Back the striker to go one step further than last season and lead the scoring charts in a full campaign under Sage.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE TO BE LIGUE 1 TOP SCORER
