Ligue 1 starts with only one uncertainty - who'll be the second behind PSG?

Not so long ago, the Bundesliga was the league where anything other than a Bayern Munich title would be a shock. Now, that crown of inevitability belongs to Ligue 1. La Liga still swings between Real Madrid and Barcelona, occasionally disrupted by Atletico Madrid. Serie A produces a new champion almost every year, and even the Premier League no longer has a runaway juggernaut like Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Meanwhile, in France, a dynasty is being built: Paris Saint-Germain, under Spanish tactician Luis Enrique.

Classy Enrique: ‘We didn’t deserve to win’

Last season, Les Parisiens pulled off a domestic clean sweep: Ligue 1, the Super Cup, and the Coupe de France. Then came the cherry on top - their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, the holy grail their Qatari owners have spent over a decade chasing. And this Wednesday in Udine, they added another missing trophy to the cabinet - the UEFA Super Cup, edging Tottenham on penalties.

PSG came from behind to win the Super Cup on penalties

Heading into this campaign, the question of who will win Ligue 1 almost doesn't exist. Last year's ruthless dominance suggests Enrique's squad could stroll to another title. The last club to dethrone them were Lille in 2021, but since then, the crown hasn't budged from the Parc des Princes.

The 2024-25 season kicks off tonight at 21:45 with Marseille visiting Rennes.

PSG Stick to the Winning Formula

On paper, PSG's squad is in another stratosphere - worth three times as much as their nearest rival Monaco, according to Transfermarkt (€1.2 billion vs. €411 million). Even the Gianluigi Donnarumma saga - the Italian's refusal to extend his contract beyond next summer, leading to his benching before the Super Cup - won't rattle this empire. Donnarumma, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, is set to leave after four years, replaced by 22-year-old Lucas Chevalier from Lille for €40 million.

Just what Pep needs: Luis Enrique writes off Gigio as his PSG spell comes to abrupt end

The old saying goes: never change a winning team. PSG have taken that literally this time. Their only major signing is Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth for €63 million, brought in to add competition to a back line anchored by captain Marquinhos and Ecuadorian standout Willian Pacho.

Questions remain over Randal Kolo Muani's future - back from a loan spell at Juventus but unlikely to displace Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, or Goncalo Ramos. Marco Asensio has also returned from Aston Villa but could still be sold.

Nine of the ten most valuable players in Ligue 1 wear PSG shirt, with Dembele, Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia each valued at €90 million.

Who's France's "Number Two"?

That's the yearly debate. Last season, Marseille claimed the silver medal despite internal turbulence. Financially, they're neck-and-neck with Monaco, while Lille remain a perennial top-four threat. In recent years, Lens (2023 runners-up), Brest, and Nice have all had one-off breakout seasons, but none have mounted a sustained challenge.

This transfer window saw just two coaching changes: Englishman Will Still left Lens for Southampton, replaced by Pierre Sage, while Portuguese coach Luis Castro took over at Nantes. Newcomers to Ligue 1 include Metz, Lorient, and Paris FC - PSG's crosstown neighbour.

Monaco's Big-Name Gamble

Adi Hutter has stabilised the Principality side, and once again the expectation is a battle with Marseille for second place. The Achilles' heel remains consistency.

Their latest signings are headline-grabbing: Paul Pogba returns from a doping ban, while former Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati arrives on loan after stalled spells at Brighton and back at Barca. English defender Eric Dier joins from Bayern Munich.

Pogba starts training with Monaco, but we'll have to wait for his Ligue 1 debut

The jewel of the squad is 22-year-old winger Maghnes Akliouche, a target for top clubs but staying put - for now.

Even so, Monaco appear to be operating in a different reality from PSG. Second place and Champions League qualification are the realistic goals.

De Zerbi Brings Calm to Marseille

Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, who made his name at Sassuolo and Brighton, survived his first turbulent year in Marseille - a rarity in the south of France - and delivered a second-place finish and a Champions League ticket. Mason Greenwood was a standout last season and remains at the club despite outside interest.

Timothy Weah joins Marseille and recreates his dad's iconic magazine cover

The latest reinforcements suggest ambition: Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao (€30m), Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lille's Angel Gomes, Juventus loanee Timothy Weah, and the returning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a Saudi adventure. Everton's Neal Maupay also joined the attack.

Giroud's Homecoming and a Paris Derby

Veteran Olivier Giroud returns to France after a brief MLS stint with LAFC. At nearly 39, he still has goals in him, and with him in the squad, Lille could aim not just for Europe, but potentially for the Champions League.

Strasbourg - owned by Chelsea boss Todd Boehly - impressed last season before fading late and have invested nearly €100m in this transfer window, second only to PSG.

Lyon, seven-time champions in the Juninho Pernambucano era, narrowly avoided relegation and have endured a fire sale under owner John Textor, leaving fans furious. Coach Paulo Fonseca remains, but serves an eight-month suspension until mid-September.

And for the first time in years, Paris will have a true city derby: PSG vs. Paris FC, whose stadium sits just 15 metres from the Parc des Princes. Veteran coach Stephane Gilli guided Paris FC into the top flight, aiming to establish them as a Ligue 1 mainstay.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 1

Friday

21.45: (3.80) Rennes (3.50) Olympique Marseille (2.10)

Saturday

18.00: (2.35) Lens (3.75) Olympique Lyon (3.00)

20.00: (1.37) Monaco (4.90) Le Havre (8.50)

22.05: (2.10) Nice (3.50) Toulouse (3.80)

Sunday

16.00: (3.40) Brest (3.50) Lille (2.25)

18.15: (2.70) Angers (3.20) Paris (2.90)

18.15: (2.40) Auxerre (3.45) Lorient (3.15)

18.15: (3.20) Metz (3.45) Strasbourg (2.35)

21.45: (8.00) Nantes (5.30) PSG (1.35)

***odds are subject to change***