2018-19 Ligue 1 Season Preview - PSG Is Dominant Favorite
August 13th, 2018
If you want a big payout from betting on who wins the French Ligue 1 title is to get rich, you may need a lot of money to start with.
Paris St-Germain, or PSG as they are often known, have won five of the past six Ligue 1 titles, and of the five major European leagues, they have the shortest odds to again win Ligue 1, which kicks off Friday, Aug. 10. PSG are frequently quoted around -1000 to win the league title – that is, for every $10 you bet, you win $1, for a total return of $11 – to again win Ligue 1. For a contest that lasts several months to have a team at odds you may have got Secretariat paying at his peak for one race, that’s quite amazing.
Two seasons ago the unthinkable happened: PSG were beaten into second place by Monaco. But normal order was resumed last year, when PSG won the title by 13 points, losing just three games in the 38-game season.
It’s not hard to understand why PSG are so dominant. Their team includes Neymar, best-known for his sublime ability and less sublime acting skills when going down at the slightest contact, and France’s breakout star in their World Cup victory this summer, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe. Outstanding Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, the top Ligue 1 goalscorer for the past two seasons, adds to a formidable attack.
PSG’s most notable newcomer arrives on a free transfer. After 17 seasons with Juventus, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has arrived in Paris. Though he may not be at his peak, his presence should add plenty to the club’s European ambitions. The other notable newcomer is manager Thomas Tuchel, who arrives from Borussia Dortmund, who replaces Arsenal-bound Unai Emery.
Of the others, last year’s runners-up Monaco (+1400 to win Ligue 1) should be prominent again. Though they have lost Thomas Lemar to Atletico Madrid and Fabinho to Liverpool, they have gained Aleksander Golovin, the midfielder who had a great World Cup for Russia. How Golovin steps in to his new club will determine Monaco’s chances.
Olympique Lyon (+1200) are set to have another good season, especially with Nabir Fekir remaining with the club, while Olympique Marseille are the other team likely to challenge for a Champions League berth. The interesting outsiders are Nice: they have attracted manager Patrick Vieira from Major League Soccer’s New York City FC, with whom he has had great success, but they may be better hopes for 2019-20.
The season begins Friday with Marseille (+1400) playing Toulouse. PSG begin their season Sunday against Ligue 1 longshot Caen.
Perhaps the most interesting bet for anyone who is put off by the likely PSG dominance is for the top team in the league with PSG excluded, where Lyon and Monaco look to be the best bets.
Paris St-Germain, or PSG as they are often known, have won five of the past six Ligue 1 titles, and of the five major European leagues, they have the shortest odds to again win Ligue 1, which kicks off Friday, Aug. 10. PSG are frequently quoted around -1000 to win the league title – that is, for every $10 you bet, you win $1, for a total return of $11 – to again win Ligue 1. For a contest that lasts several months to have a team at odds you may have got Secretariat paying at his peak for one race, that’s quite amazing.
Two seasons ago the unthinkable happened: PSG were beaten into second place by Monaco. But normal order was resumed last year, when PSG won the title by 13 points, losing just three games in the 38-game season.
It’s not hard to understand why PSG are so dominant. Their team includes Neymar, best-known for his sublime ability and less sublime acting skills when going down at the slightest contact, and France’s breakout star in their World Cup victory this summer, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe. Outstanding Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, the top Ligue 1 goalscorer for the past two seasons, adds to a formidable attack.
PSG’s most notable newcomer arrives on a free transfer. After 17 seasons with Juventus, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has arrived in Paris. Though he may not be at his peak, his presence should add plenty to the club’s European ambitions. The other notable newcomer is manager Thomas Tuchel, who arrives from Borussia Dortmund, who replaces Arsenal-bound Unai Emery.
Of the others, last year’s runners-up Monaco (+1400 to win Ligue 1) should be prominent again. Though they have lost Thomas Lemar to Atletico Madrid and Fabinho to Liverpool, they have gained Aleksander Golovin, the midfielder who had a great World Cup for Russia. How Golovin steps in to his new club will determine Monaco’s chances.
Olympique Lyon (+1200) are set to have another good season, especially with Nabir Fekir remaining with the club, while Olympique Marseille are the other team likely to challenge for a Champions League berth. The interesting outsiders are Nice: they have attracted manager Patrick Vieira from Major League Soccer’s New York City FC, with whom he has had great success, but they may be better hopes for 2019-20.
The season begins Friday with Marseille (+1400) playing Toulouse. PSG begin their season Sunday against Ligue 1 longshot Caen.
Perhaps the most interesting bet for anyone who is put off by the likely PSG dominance is for the top team in the league with PSG excluded, where Lyon and Monaco look to be the best bets.
ODDS TO WIN 2018-19 LIGUE 1 CHAMPIONSHIP
Paris St-Germain (PSG) -1000 Lyon +1200 Marseille +1400 Monaco +1400 St. Etienne +25000 Stade Rennes +30000 Nantes +30000 Lille +30000 Montepellier +35000 Nice +35000 Angers +50000 Strasbourg +50000 Toulouse +50000 Caen +75000 Dijon +75000 Guingamp +75000 Amiens +100000 Nimes +100000 Reims +100000ADVERTISEMENT
