Paris St Germain’s summer spending spree is paying dividends as they headed into the international break with a six-point lead over nearest rival Lens.
The French giants brought in Lionel Messi, Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum during the transfer window and won their first eight games before their perfect start was surprisingly ended by Rennes in a 2-0 defeat.
PSG had scored at least twice in those first eight games and their 2-0 win against Manchester City in the Champions League has put them in the driving seat to qualify for the knockout stage, so the signs are looking good for a successful season and an eighth Ligue 1 title in 10 seasons.
Monaco
Monaco bagged the last Champions League spot on the final day of the season but failed to make it to the group stage and had to settle for a place in the Europa League.
Niko Kovac’s men made a poor start to the campaign, winning just one of their first six matches, but three successive victories have moved them into the top six.
Lille’s first title in 10 years came at a cost as coach Christophe Galtier left to join Nice and they lost a couple of key players.
Guingamp’s Jocelyn Gourvennec was given the task of leading Lille whose start to the season has mirrored Monaco’s, winning just once in their first six matches before picking up maximum points in their last three to move into the top eight.
The champions were priced at 12/1 pre-season and although those odds drifted they are back up to 28/1 on the back of their three-match winning run.
Lyon
Lyon were second favourites in the Ligue 1 winner odds at 10/1 before the start of the season but a patchy start means they are mid-table after nine games.
Rudi Garcia left the club after a disastrous final day of the season in which they twice led Nice but lost 3-2 to miss out on a Champions League spot.
Galtier turned down the chance to manage Lyon, who turned to former Bayer Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz instead, but with just three wins so far they are 28/1 to finish top of the table.
Best of the rest
Galtier has been working his magic at Nice who went into the international break in third spot having conceded just four goals in nine games.
