Ligue 1

Who do you support?

England – Tottenham Hotspur (Since 1990)

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Football began for me with Italia 90. England’s run to the semi-final is permanently etched in my memory, as is my first ever Panini sticker book. That was where I discovered that my new hero, Gary Lineker, played for Spurs. It turned out Paul Gascoigne did as well, but that wasn’t as important to my eight-year-old self. An FA Cup victory came immediately in 1991 and since then…two League Cups and a lot of suffering. I also have a soft spot for Portsmouth (where I went to school) and Havant & Waterlooville (my local side), who once led Liverpool at Anfield.

Spain – Celta Vigo (Since 2003)

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I used to like Deportivo La Coruña after Bebeto’s 1994 World Cup heroics, but I then got to study in Vigo for a year and from then on there was no question which Galician side I would be backing. La Liga tickets were 3 Euros a pop and a packet of 3 Champions League group stage tickets (AC Milan, Brugge and Ajax) were an absolute steal at 20. I got to see them take on Arsenal in the next round, too, but a toothless front line led by former Villa striker Savo Milosevic saw them relegated to Segunda at the end of the season. After Celta, I look out for Rayo Vallecano results and then the Yellow Submarine of Villarreal.

France – Lyon (Since 2004)

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I could have been a PSG fan, having been born and gone to school in the capital, but it didn’t end up that way. They’re the opposite of my type of club, so it’s just as well. While working in Lyon over the summer holidays, I got to see Les Gones take on Manchester United in the Champions League and Sochaux in Ligue 1 at the Stade Gerland. This was the time of Juninho, the Brazilian master of free-kicks, and Lyon instantly became my Champions League team, who I’d back over the English “big four” without hesitation. Seven consecutive titles came between 2002 and 2008 before the emergence of the PSG monolith.

Italy – Atalanta (Since 2017)

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I never really had an Italian side that I supported, but I would previously have said Inter if pushed, and I did enjoy Mourinho’s backs to the wall Champions League triumph with Samuel Eto’o leading the line. However, it was the other Nerazzurri that won my heart in the end. My first memory of watching them was their classy dismantling of Everton home and away in the Europa League. Since then, it has been a rollercoaster coming so close to the cup, the league and the Champions League, but not quite making it. As if I didn’t have enough of that as a Spurs fan!

Germany – Union Berlin (Since 2019)

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Yes, a latecomer to this phenomenal story. I was a minor fan of Dortmund when Lewandowski and the rest of the Polish trio were tearing it up for Klopp, but as soon as I watched this short documentary I was hooked on Union. From donating blood to raise money for the club to fans building their stadium with their own hands, the community spirit is unbeatable. Their first season in the top flight was very much about securing safety with set-pieces key, but in the last two years they’ve developed into a real force securing European football twice in a row. Here’s to more of the same!

Ligue 1 Final Stretch Predictions

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CHAMPIONS – PSG
They were dreadful against Monaco, but a 12 point lead with nine matches to go is pretty much insurmountable. PSG will draw level with Saint Etienne on ten French titles. However, it will be mainly down to the inconsistency of the other 19 sides.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – RENNES
Taking advantage of Marseille and Nice’s patchy recent form, Rennes have surged onto the podium thanks to five wins on the bounce in which they’ve scored an average of 4 goals a game. With no cup or European distractions after their loss to Leicester, they will finish second.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING – LILLE
Another side that has just exited Europe to an English team, Lille have relied on defensive solidity rather than attacking flair in their gradual climb up the table. With a friendly set of fixtures ahead, Les Dogues will make the best of a disappointing title defence.

EUROPA LEAGUE – NICE
Nice have been second or third for nearly the entirety of the season, but are stumbling a little as they approach the finish line. A crunch match against Rennes is next. They will narrowly miss out on the podium, but a spot in the Europa League is far from a disaster.

CONFERENCE LEAGUE – MARSEILLE
What? Marseille so low? Well, they are still going in this year’s Conference League with a very winnable quarter-final tie against PAOK meaning four or five extra European matches could be on the horizon. Jorge Sampaoli will have to shuffle his deck very wisely.

RELEGATED – BORDEAUX, METZ
The writing is on the wall for Les Girondins, who were abject as they failed to mount a comeback in the second half against Montpellier’s nine men. They will be joined in Ligue 2 by Metz, who have looked destined for the drop much of the season.

PROMOTED – TOULOUSE, AUXERRE
Toulouse have been out in front all year and they will not be letting a seven point lead slip. Auxerre have just had a five game winning run snapped by Toulouse, but they will bounce back to take promotion in the automatic second spot.

RELEGATION PLAY-OFF – CLERMONT VS AJACCIO
Clermont have been desperately poor of late and a resurgent Saint-Etienne look certain to leapfrog them to safety. Ajaccio will battle it out with the newly wealthy Paris FC for third place in Ligue 2. A slightly kinder run-in should see the Corsicans come out on top.

COUPE DE FRANCE WINNERS – NANTES
Nice have been the better team over the course of the season, but Nantes have shown they have it in them to turn in an impressive performance, as they did in their recent victory over PSG. The Canaries will claim their fourth Coupe de France!

TOP SCORER – WISSAM BEN YEDDER
Kylian Mbappe is the best striker in this league, but his teammates are already half on holiday with the title nearly sewn up and nothing else to play for. Ben Yedder will reclaim his goalscoring crown, although Martin Terrier may run him close.

CONTINUE READING…
BUNDESLIGA FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
LA LIGA FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS
SERIE A FINAL STRETCH PREDICTIONS

Ligue 1 – 10 games to go (2020-2021)

Teams are in reverse order. Last five games begins with the most recent.

20th – Dijon – 15pts – LLLLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Hard to see anything apart from not cutting the mustard gags after eight losses on the bounce. It’ll be Ligue 2 football for the boys from Burgundy next season.
Next 5: Bordeaux (H), Reims (H), Marseille (A), Monaco (A), Nice (H)

19th – Nantes -24pts – LDDWL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
After an ill-advised dalliance with Raymond Domenech, the Canaries have experienced a mini-revival under Antoine Kombouare. Will it be too little too late?
Next 5: PSG (A), Lorient (H), Nice (H), Rennes (A), Lyon (H)

18th – Nimes – 25pts – LDWWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
The Crocodiles have gone off the boil after putting together a 3 game winning streak spearheaded by the flowing locks of Renaud Ripart. A tough run-in awaits.
Next 5: Montpellier (H), Lille (A), St-Etienne (H), Brest (A), Strasbourg (H)

17th – Lorient – 27 pts – DWLLD – Recent highlights – Team Profile
A respectable return to the top flight for the Brittany outfit could well end with their objective of staying afloat achieved. It’s sink or swim time for Les Merlus.
Next 5: Nice (H), Nantes (A), Brest (H), Lens (A), Marseille (A)

16th – St-Etienne – 30pts – LLDWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Les Verts are not safe after a very up and down season under Claude Puel. PSG could equal their record number of titles this year, so they will want to remain at the top table at least.
Next 5: Angers (A), Monaco (H), Nimes (A), Bordeaux (H), PSG (A)

15th – Bordeaux – 33pts – LLLDL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Having failed to win in eight matches, the Girondins are on a dreadful run, but victory against the even worse Dijon should all but secure safety.
Next 5: Dijon (A), Montpellier (A), Strasbourg (H), St-Etienne (A), Monaco (H)

14th – Strasbourg – 33pts – WDDWL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
No cup run this year for Le Racing, but the prodigiously tall Ludovic Ajorque’s goals will make sure their heads remain above water for another season.
Next 5: Rennes (A), Lens (H), Bordeaux (A), PSG (H), Nimes (A)

13th – Brest – 34pts – WLLDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
The Pirate Team are looking good for survival. With 50 goals leaked, it’s hardly been a tight ship at the back, but stopper Larsonneur has often bailed them out.
Next 5: Marseille (A), Angers (H), Lorient (A), Nimes (H), Lens (H)

12th – Reims – 34pts – WDDDL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
After flying out of the blocks, Boulaye Dia has not been able to rediscover his fizz. It’s not been champagne football from Reims, but they’ll be fine.
Next 5: Lyon (H), Dijon (A), Rennes (H), Nice (A), Metz (H)

11th – Nice – 35pts – WWLLL– Recent highlights – Team Profile
Back to back wins inspired by standout performer Amine Gouiri have put any relegation fears to bed, but it’s been a disappointing season for the south coast side.
Next 5: Lorient (A), Marseille (H), Nantes (A), Reims (H), Dijon (A)

10th – Rennes – 38pts – LLLLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
It’s not been a happy new year for Rennes, going from title outsiders to the fringes of Europe. Julien Stephan has just been replaced in the dugout by Bruno Genesio.
Next 5: Strasbourg (H), Metz (A), Reims (A), Nantes (H), Angers (A)

9th – Angers – 39pts – WDDLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Le SCO can be satisfied with another solid season that has given them an outside shot at Europe. If that fails, the Angevins could target a first ever cup victory.
Next 5: St-Etienne (H), Brest (A), Montpellier (H), Lyon (A), Rennes (H)

8th – Montpellier – 40pts – DDWWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
England youth star Stephy Mavididi has bolstered Montpellier’s attack this year. A place in Europe is certainly within the grasp of these top ten regulars.
Next 5: Nimes (A), Bordeaux (H), Angers (A), Marseille (H), Lille (A)

7th – Metz – 41pts – LWWLL – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Nobody expected such a strong season from the Maroons this year. Their next six fixtures are brutal, so keeping in touch with 5th is the order of the day.
Next 5: Lens (A), Rennes (H), Monaco (A), Lille (H), Reims (A)

6th – Marseille – 42pts – WLDDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Despite Andre Villas Boas’ comic departure, a fan attack on the training ground, and Payet and Thauvin’s ongoing personal feud, they are still somehow 6th. What crisis?
Next 5: Brest (H), Nice (A), Dijon (H), Montpellier (A), Lorient (H)

5th – Lens – 44pts – WDWDD – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Unbeaten in eight, the Blood and Gold’s return to the top flight has been magnificent. Former Lens youth product Gael Kakuta has been a big factor in their renaissance.
Next 5: Metz (H), Strasbourg (A), Lyon (H), Lorient (H), Brest (A)

4th – Monaco – 55pts – LWWDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Importing Niko Kovac and Kevin Volland from the Bundesliga has worked out pretty well for the principality. A place on the “podium” is their main aim.
Next 5: Lille (H), St-Etienne (A), Metz (H), Dijon (H), Bordeaux (A)

3rd – Lyon – 59pts – WDWLW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
With no European distractions and Memphis Depay and Houssem Aouar both still on the books, this is the best chance Lyon have had at the title for years.
Next 5: Reims (A), PSG (H), Lens (A), Angers (H), Nantes (A)

2nd – PSG – 60pts – WWLWW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
This will not be a stroll to the title for Pochettino, as he will have to juggle Champions League commitments with a tricky run-in. Still favourites nevertheless.
Next 5: Nantes (H), Lyon (A), Lille (H), Strasbourg (A), St-Etienne (H)

1st – Lille – 62pts – WDWDW – Recent highlights – Team Profile
Defeat to Ajax in the Europa League could be a real blessing in disguise for Les Dogues. Christophe Galtier’s charges still have to visit the rest of the current top five.
Next 5: Monaco (A), Nimes (H), PSG (A), Metz (A), Montpellier (H)

Why not check out:
Bundesliga – 10 games to go
La Liga – 10 games to go
Premier League – 10 games to go
Serie A – 10 games to go