France Ligue 1 betting tips and odds
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- Paris Saint Germain
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- Olympique Marseille
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- Rennes
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- Lille
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- Olympique Lyonnais
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- Dijon
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- Toulouse
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Marseille betting
Marseille Odds
After three years in charge of the club and a memorable run to the UEFA Europa League final in 2018, Rudy Garcia left Marseille at the end of the 2018/19 campaign. Having failed to lead the club to European places and following struggles in cup competitions, a change was needed.
Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas took over and was immediately tasked with securing European football. Marseille are a shoo-in to grab a top-three finish during the 2019/20 season with 1.57 betting odds stacked in their favour.
The Portuguese tactician was given a chance to revive the club but his career as well. His spells in Chelsea and Tottenham both resulted in sackings. And even though his Zenit Saint Petersburg spell brought a cup double, Andre Villas-Boas has got plenty to prove in southern France.
Marseille Key Players
Villas-Boas’ job was made ever so more difficult by the fact several key players left Marseille in the summer of 2019. The likes of Lucas Ocampos, Luiz Gustavo, Clinton N’Jie, Adil Rami and ultimately Mario Balotelli have left Villas-Boas shorthanded.
The club did, however, make efforts to bolster their ranks. The likes of Dario Benedetto and Valentin Roniger arrived from Boca Juniors and FC Nantes, respectively, for a combined feel of €27 million. It is Florian Thauvin, however, who is expected to lead the line for OM once again. The former Newcastle flop is back to his best and will be the one to watch for Marseille. He will be backed by an experienced duo – Dimitri Payet and Kevin Strootman – both under the spotlight as well.
Marseille Rivalry
Andre Villas-Boas did well to ease the pressure ahead of the new season. The Portuguese manager claimed PSG were contesting in a ‘different league’ in reference to their wealth and riches. Having relieved the pressure off his club about Le Classique, Marseille boss inadvertently turned his focus towards another high-note derby his club is involved in.
Derby de France against PSG might be the biggest game in the country but Marseille are also involved in what’s called Olympico, against Olympique Lyonnais. Also referred to as the Choc des Olympiques, matches between Marseille and Lyon are quite different to blood-boiling clashes with PSG.
The Olympico rivalry stems from pure competitiveness of the clubs’ players, managers and supporters in regards to fight for high-standard supremacy. This rivalry dates back to 1945, long before PSG were even established (1970) and therefore carries great importance for both sets of supporters.
Marseille History
Olympique de Marseille were founded in 1899, seven years after Rene Dufaure de Montmirail established an omnisport club with a primary focus on rugby. Football began gaining pace under the influence of English and German people from the French Sports Union USFSA and it was in the early 1900’s that Olympique de Marseille started making a name for themselves.
Marseille have spent most of their football history playing in the highest tier of French football. Moreover, they are the first and only club to win the European crown, in 1993 after beating Milan 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Olympians, as Marseille are also known, play their matches at Stade Velodrome, which is a 67,000-seater venue situated in the southern part of the city. In addition to their Champions League title, Marseille also have nine Ligue 1 titles and 10 Coupe de France medals.
PSG betting
PSG Odds
Having scooped six Ligue 1 titles in last seven years, French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain have once again been installed as firm favourites to claim the French crown. Former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel is starting his second season in charge of the club and the pressure seems to be higher than ever. Last year’s European failure has once again shown that PSG are far away from being a match to the continent’s elite. Therefore, the Champions League is once again the club’s main focus. The Parisiens are given 8.00 betting odds to claim the coveted title, which is a bit of a stretch.
PSG Key Players
Paris Saint-Germain have built a reputation for themselves over the past couple of years. However, there were no groundbreaking moves in the summer transfer window of 2019 – at least not up to the usual standard they set. Les Parisiens added plenty of depth to their midfielder. They played it wise by bringing Pablo Sarabia, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye, whereas the last-minute arrival of former Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi further raised the profile of their attacking options. The French youngster Kylian Mbappe is expected to grow further in prominence and overshadow the Brazilian wonder Neymar as PSG’s biggest star. With frightening pace, sensational skills and amazing finishing ability, the France international looks like the next big thing in world football. Mbappe is currently the biggest favourite to become the Ligue 1 top goalscorer with betting odds of 2.30 next to his name.
PSG Rivalry
Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille are the clubs contesting one of the biggest football derbies in Europe. Matches between these clubs are often referred to as Le Classique and Derbh de France. Le Classique is considered the biggest rivalry in the country. When it comes to the overall atmosphere, matches between PSG and Marseille are also the most violent ones. The Derby de France is more than a football rivalry. It extends beyond the pitch. When clubs from the two largest cities in France go head-to-head, it’s also two cultures colliding. The capital against the province always carries a huge cultural and social importance. Along with three points, bragging rights are always on stake when these two clubs meet.
PSG History
Not exactly among the oldest clubs in world football, Paris Saint-Germain have been founded in 1970. The club, however, wasted little time into establishing itself as a major force in France. With 40 titles to their name, PSG are the most successful clubs in France. Moreover, Les Parisiens to this date remain the only French side never to play outside Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. In addition to being the most successful club in the country, PSG are also the most popular team in France. Also called Les Parisiens or Les Bleus, the club is only one of two French teams to have ever won a major European title. UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup from 1995/96 are still waiting for their European title under the new ownership which revolutionised the club with great investments since 2011.
Angers betting
Angers Odds
Angers Sporting Club de l’Ouest are celebrating an important milestone in the 2019/20 campaign. Namely, this year is their 100th professional season and such a historic occasion deserves plenty of respect from the overall football community.
Universally referred to as Angers, the club from the west of France will be looking to mark the occasion with fittingly. Les Scoistes – as Angers are commonly known – managed to collect 46 points last year, which was enough for the 13th place finish. This time around, the club will be keen to push it up a notch and earn the top-ten finish.
Such a result would be considered quite a feat but the most important thing is that Angers are not seen as relegation candidates in their festive year. The bookmakers see them at 26.00 betting odds to suffer a drop, which in all honesty is a bit far-fetched option given the circumstances.
Angers Key Players
With 11 goals to his name during the 2018/19 campaign, centre-forward Stephane Bahoken led the line for Stephane Moulin’s side. The 27-year-old Cameroon international will once again be the one to watch, while the supporters also have high hopes for Rachid Alioui, Casimir Ninga and Farid El Melali.
Angers midfielder suffered a huge blow during the summer with jeff Reine-Adelaide leaving for Olympique Lyon in a €25 million deal. The Nimes midfielder duo – Sada Thioub and Antonin Bobichon – were brought to replace the 21-year-old, however.
Mathias Pereira Lage was another midfielder to bolster the ranks of Angers this summer and it’s fair to assume the club board did a good job in replacing one of the greatest talents in the country.
Angers Rivalry
Despite their century-long history and tradition, Angers are not considered to be the most notable clubs in France. As such, they do not exactly have any major rivalries with clubs from the Ligue 1. However, their main competitors in the top-flight are FC Nantes.
The two teams compete in what’s called the Derby de l’ouest. It’s a provincial derby between two clubs situated in cities less than 60 miles apart. Also called the Derby of the West, this rivalry is not exactly a hotly-contested affair. It is, however, a game that usually generates plenty of attention in local media.
Angers History
The Black and Whites were founded in the same year as the French Football Federation (1919) which makes them one of the oldest clubs in the country. Le Havre and AS Strasbourg remain the oldest sports establishments in France but it’s worth noting that these two started their respective journeys as an athletics club and a German team, respectively.
Angers have been a proud member of the Ligue 1 since 2015. This year marks Angers’ return to the top flight after a 21-year absence. Their best result in France’s top division was the 4th-place finish in the 1972/72 campaign when the Black and Whites participated in the UEFA Cup.
Another notable result of this century-old football club is their Coupe de France final in 2017. Angers played Paris Saint-Germain and did well to give French giants a proper scare. PSG won thanks to a 91st-minute own goal with Angers ultimately failing to lift the trophy on bad luck.
Montpellier betting
Montpellier Odds
The La Paillade, as people call Montpellier in France, did extraordinarily well to finish the 2018/19 campaign in sixth place. Their fine season went slightly below the radar but Michel Der Zakarian is hoping his team would be able to build upon the result and perhaps even challenge for the top-four finish. And just in case you are willing to back their cause, best betting odds for Montpellier can be found at Bet365.
Such an idea might sound like a tall order against the likes of Marseille, Lyon and Lille among others, but Montpellier will have their hopes high after a successful summer. They might not be one of the most notable sides in the league but they have great value and quality within their squad. Unlike the main top-three contenders who went through plenty of trouble this summer with multiple departures, Montpellier have kept the balance.
Montpellier Key Players
The departure of Benjamin Lecompte might be seen as a huge blow to Montpellier’s chances. One of France’s most consistent goalkeepers moved to Monaco but Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad is indeed considered a worthy replacement.
Centre-forward Andy Delort is the perhaps the most notable signing of the summer transfer window and the player fans expect to see most of during the 2019/20 campaign. Central midfielder Teji Savanier, however, will be the one to keep an eye on as the most expensive summer investment.
Manager Der Zakarian has been working quietly and effectively to compose a stable squad, packed with plenty of talent and more than capable of mounting (at least) a top-table finish, which ultimately is the goal.
Montpellier Rivalry
As far as the top flight of French football goes, Montpellier have only one prominent rival. Montpellier supporters regard Nimes as their greatest enemies with the animosity between the two sides stemming back to 1950s. As regional rivals, Montpellier and Nimes contest what’s universally called the Derby du Languedoc or better yet the Derby de l’Herault. The rivalry grew stronger and more pronounced in 1978-79 campaign when a couple of high-profile footballers and former Nimes stars chose to sign for Montpellier. The signings were the ultimate sign of a power shift which began to take form towards the La Paillade.
Montpellier History
Montpellier was founded in 1919 under the name General Montpellier Sports Association. The first members of the club were a couple of wealthy citizens of the city aiming to put the club on the sports map of France. Montpellier were among the first clubs in the country to go fully professional since the very beginning – in 1930 when the National Council of the French Football Federation decided to push it up a notch. The club went from Ligue 1 to Ligue 2 and back during its inaugural professional years.
Throughout its history, Montpellier also endured a short spell in Ligue 3 at the turn of the century but went back up to the top-tier under the guidance of Rolland Courbis. It was Rene Girard, however, who turned Montpellier into champions in 2011/12 campaign.
This title remains the only top-flight trophy for a club which was also a two-time Coupe de France champions and once a Coupe de la Ligue winner. Moreover, Montpellier are also proud winners of the UEFA Intertoto Cup from 1999.
Bordeaux betting
Bordeaux Odds
FC Girondins de Bordeaux will be keen to forget the dismal 2018/19 campaign as soon as possible. Having changed no less than three different managers during the last season, Bordeaux sailed into calm waters under the guidance of Paulo Sousa.
The experienced tactician will be determined to steer the ship as further away from last term’s 14th-place finish and with quality that’s at his disposal, the supporters have every right to hope for a top-half finish. The betting odds of 14/1 for a place in the top three might sound like a tall order but it puts them in a group of top-six clubs aiming for the Champions League places. Fourth place would not be considered too bad of a finish as well and it would, in all honesty, mark a huge step forward following a disastrous spell.
Bordeaux Key Players
Unlike last summer when the club focused on youthful reinforcements, Paulo Sousa had his sights set on experienced players and free agents mostly. Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny arrived after a fallout in London and Bordeaux will have been pleased with the fact they only paid €5 million for a player of that caliber.
Other notable additions include Youssef Ait Bennasser, Loris Benito, Enock Kwateng and Mexer all of whom arrived as free agents.
Nicolas de Preville and Josh Maja will be the players to watch in the 2019/20 season. The center-forward duo will be expected to provide goals for the team whereas attacking midfielder Yacine Adli is there to support them from between the lines.
Bordeaux Rivalry
The Girondins, as Bordeaux are commonly known, have one major rival in Ligue 1. Contested between the two major clubs from cities located along the Garonne River, the Derby de la Garonne is a highly-anticipated local derby with Toulouse.
The Garonne Derby grew in competitiveness at the turn of the century (in 2003) when Toulouse got back to the top tier of French football following administrative relegation to the third division -Champoionnat National. With only 150 miles between the two cities, rivalry between Bordeaux and Toulouse was first ignited in 1946.
Bordeaux History
Initially founded as a multi-sport club which was a customary practice in France, Bordeaux went through a lengthy period from 1881 to 1920 without having football under its umbrella. The first unsuccessful experiment with football had happened in 1910 but it was not until a decade later that this sport was added to the mix.
The Girondins achieved professional status in 1936 and have since then grown into one of the most successful football clubs in France. Bordeaux are a six-time national champions and proud owners of four Coupe de France medals. Moreover, they won three Coupe de la Ligue titles and even played in the UEFA Cup final in 1996. The only international trophy they have won to this date remains the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup title. Bordeaux play their home matches at the Matmut Atlantique stadium, better known as the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, build ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016. The modern-looking sports venue seats over 42,000 people. In addition to football, the stadium also hosts a series of other events, including concerts.
Nantes betting
Nantes Odds
Football Club de Nantes have been on a downward slope over the past couple of seasons. Hey went from being 7th in Ligue 1 standings in 2016/17 to a disappointing 12th-place finish in not more than just two years’ time. The Canaries, as Nantes are commonly known in France, will be aiming to regain their top-table status and launch a European challenge during the 2019/20 campaign. The club have hired the experienced tactician to guide them forward in Christian Gourcuff who replaced Vahid Halihodzic at the helm in August 2019.
To say Nantes will be able to mount a top-three challenge would be a far-fetched assumption at 12.00 betting odds. However, a top-six finish would still be considered success for the Canaries.
Nantes Key Players
A disappointing finish to the 2018/19 season launched a mass exodus in Nantes with no less than 16 players leaving the club. Diego Carlos, Valentin Rongier, Lucas Lima and Koffi Djidji were the most notable departures. The club did pocket a hefty €40 million fee during the summer transfer market but Gourcuff will nevertheless have a tough time replacing the leading men.
The new manager was backed to rebuild during summer. Operating on a tight budget, the new tactician brought in the likes of Ludovic Blas, Marcus Coco, Molla Wague, Abou Ba and Dennis Appiah among other names. The club spent a combined fee of around €14.5 million on five new players, while at the same time adding a couple of free agents such as Alban Lafont, a talented 20-year-old Fiorentina goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old Mali striker Kaliffa Coulibaly will be the one to keep an eye on during the 2019/20 season. Former PSG and Gent forward bagged 8 goals across all competitions for Nantes in the previous campaign and will be expected to lead the line in attack all over again.
Nantes Rivalry
As a club based in the historic province of Brittany, Nantes have a number of regional rivalries universally called the Derby de la Bretagne. The saucy moniker designates any football match between the most notable clubs in the region. Apart from Nantes, these include Stade Brestois 29, Rennes and Lorient from Ligue 1 but also Guingamp of Ligue 2 and a couple of low-tier football clubs.
Nantes and Rennes are the two biggest clubs in the region and are historically identified as the carriers of the Brittany rivalry. The Derby de la Bretagne stems back to 1963 when these two clubs first locked horns in a competitive match.
Nantes History
The Canaries were officially formed during the World War II in 1943. Several local clubs joined forces to form one large club and show unity in dire times which could even have a poetic meaning given the circumstances. Stemming from the unique atmosphere the club was founded in is the collective spirit Nantes are renowned for even today.
With eight Ligue 1 titles decorating their trophy room, the Canaries are one of the most successful clubs in France. Three Coupe de France trophies and on Coupe de la Ligue medal add to the silverware count. They play their matches at the Stade de la Le Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau which can fit 35,000 people.
Lyon betting
Lyon Odds
Bruno Generio completed his four-year stint at the helm of Lyon by guiding the club to a respectable third-place finish. Olympique Lyonnais chiefs took a gamble in May 2019 with appointing former Arsenal full-back Sylvinho but it came back to haunt them.
A disappointing start to the 2019/20 season saw club officials turn towards a more established name and hired Rudy Garcia in October 2019. The former Roma and Marseille boss took over at a delicate time and will overlook the team’s Ligue 1 and Champions League endeavours under great pressure from the stands and the executive offices.
Having successfully booked their place in Europe’s elite competition last year, Lyon will be urged to at least replicate the last season’s finish and get into the top three. And they do look like a safe bet at 3.25 betting odds which puts them behind Marseille and Lille as the main bookies’ contenders to lock the top-three finish and play in Europe again next year.
Lyon Key Players
Achieving the top-three aim will be easier said than done knowing that Lyon lost three key players during the summer transfer window. Influential central midfielder Tanguy Ndombele moved to London in a big-buck deal with Tottenham. The Spurs splashed out €60 million for the 22-year-old who will be sorely missed.
Moreover, left-back Ferland Mendy moved to Real Madrid in a €48 million transfer, whereas attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir put on a Real Betis shirt.
In the meantime, the board worked hard to reinvest in the squad. Joachim Andersen was brought from Sampdoria to boost the backline, while Thiago Mendes of Lille came to add to the defensive midfield wall. The exciting youth prospect Jeff Reine-Adelaide arrived from Angers, while Youssouf Kone was brought as a direct replacement for Mendy at left-back.
Lyon Rivalry
As one of the most prominent clubs in the top tier of French football, Lyon contest different rivalries with clubs of similar stature such as Marseille, Bordeaux of Paris Saint-Germaine. However, Lyon’s biggest rival from a historical point of view are Saint-Etienne.
These two clubs contest what’s universally known as Derby Rhone-Alpes. Also referred to as Le Derby, this match pits two clubs located in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. The rivalry dates back to 1951 when Lyon and Saint-Etienne played their first-ever official match.
Today, matches between these two clubs are seen as one of the highlights of the Ligue 1 calendar and draw plenty of interest both on and off the pitch. As the two clubs separated by not more than 50 kilometres, Lyon and Saint-Etienne have, over time, developed a hotly-contested rivalry. It’s a game between white-collar and blue-collar communities which, by default, carry great weight and importance.
Lyon History
Olympique Lyonnais as commonly called Les Gones which translates as The Kids. The club was formed in 1899 but had not been officially registered and nationally established until 1950. The turn of the century marked the beginning of the most successful period in the club’s history.
Seven-time Ligue 1 champions, Lyon won their first-ever domestic title in 2002. The year marked the beginning of a French record for successive Ligue 1 titles, currently standing at seven in a row. Apart from 7 Ligue 1 trophies, Lyon are also five-time winners of Coupe de France. They also lifted the Coupe de la Ligue trophy in 2000/01 and won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1997.
Lyon play their home matches at the Groupama Stadium which boasts a capacity of nearly 60,000 people. The new venue was built in 2016 and replaced Lyon’s previous home – Stade de Gerland.
Lille betting
Lille Odds
Lille Olympique Sporting Club are coming off from a successful campaign in 2018/19. The Great Danes, as Lille are universally called around the globe, did well to lock the second place in the league behind champions PSG and thus return to the Champions League for the first time since 2012.
Les Dogues are determined to replicate the last year’s success and can be backed at 2.75 betting odds to claim a successive top-three finish in the French top flight. Such a feat will be easier said than done, knowing that competition for places up top is as fierce as ever.
Lille Key Players
The summer was rather busy over at Lille OSC. Les Dogues parted ways with a couple of highly influential players. Right winger Nicolas Pepe was sold to Arsenal for a club-record €80 million. With 23 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, Pepe was Lille’s key performer.
Apart from the 24-year-old winger, Lille also lost Rafael Leao, Thiago Mendes, Anwar El Ghazi and Youssouf Kone, all of whom formed the team’s backbone last season.
The board worked hard to bring the adequate replacements and Lille ended up being pretty active on the acquisition side of the spectrum. The likes of Renato Sanches, Yusuf Yazici, Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Andre and Timothy Weah – the son of legendary George Weah – are all expected to make a difference during the 2019/20 campaign.
The club splashed €58.5 million on these five signings and the pressure will be upon them to deliver. With Nicolas Pepe out of the picture, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba will be expected to step up their game and lead the team forward together with high-note arrivals.
Lille Rivalry
As a club from the north of the country, Lille take part in what’s commonly referred to as the Derby du Nord. This game pits together two most successful clubs from the region – Lille and Lens. The former are not exactly situated in the north part of France but the proximity and sociological differences between the two sets of supporters have fueled this rivalry into a hotly-contested one ever since 1937.
Matches between Lille and Lens would usually spark intense feelings on both ends as they would often determine the international faith of respective clubs. Nowadays, the rivalry is not that prominent, however, knowing that Lille are currently vying their battles in Ligue 2.
Lille History
Lille Olympique Sporting Club rose from the post-war ashes in the autumn of 1944 with two Ligue 1 clubs – Olympique Lillois and Sporting Club Fivois – merging into a single Lille-based football club.
The early years brought notable results for Lille with the club winning two league titles in the first decade and also scooping five Coupe de France wins out of seven finals. The club lost its way, however, and it wasn’t until the late 90s that Lille began to lay the grounds for future success.
The supporters were forced to go through a lengthy wait since 1945/46 and 1953/54 when Lille won two of their three Ligue 1 titles. It was in 2010/11 that Les Dogues once again conquered France, ten years after returning to the top flight. During the same season, Lille won their sixth – and to this date final – Coupe de France title. As far as the international successes go, Lille won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2004.
The Great Danes play their home matches at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The venue can take 50,000 people and it’s been the home of Lille since 2012, having replaced the club’s previous home – Stade Lille-Metropole.
Saint-Etienne betting
Saint-Etienne Odds
The 2019/20 season marks an important milestone for Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne Loire. The Greens, as Saint-Etienne are universally known across France, are playing their 100th professional season since the club’s creation in 1919.
Heading forward as a century-old football club, Saint-Etienne are eager to build upon the 4th-place finish from last year. Clinching a top-three place and a ticket for Europe during their anniversary campaign would be the best possible gift for the fans. As things stand, Saint-Etienne are looking at long 19.00 betting odds to make one step forward and get into the top three.
Saint-Etienne Key Players
Centre-back William Saliba is the man to keep an eye on during the 2019/20 campaign. The 18-year-old defender put in a string of brilliant performances last year which ended up turning the head of Arsenal. The Premier League club forked out €25 million to secure his services but Saliba remained at Saint-Etienne as a loaned player for the season.
The Greens had a couple of key players leave the club during the summer transfer window. Remy Cabella moved to Real Betis, Neven Subotic joined Union Berlin, whereas Pierre-Yves Polomat signed for Genclerbirligi.
On the other side, the club made modest investments with reinforcing the squad. Ryad Boudebouz arrived from Real Betis, while the talented right-back Sergi Palensa came on the back of a €2 million transfer from Barcelona.
Denis Bouanga, the summer arrival from Nimes Olympique, will be the one to watch. The flamboyant Gabon international will be expected to provide goals as well take part in the overall playmaking process.
Saint-Etienne Rivalry
The Greens have a long-standing rivalry with FC Nantes. As two of the most successful clubs in France, with a combined tally of 18 league titles between them, Saint-Etienne and Nantes are historical rivals vying fierce battles since 1932.
These two clubs dominated the French top-flight football during the ‘60s and ‘70s and matches between them were highly regarded as the most important dates in the football calendar. Saint-Etienne and Nantes were credited with creating the first two modern football academies – different in style and approach to the game.
Having further established two specific football identities, Saint-Etienne and Nantes deepened their rivalry, taking it to a whole new level. Nowadays, however, with a slight decline in the power of both clubs, matches between these two are not regarded as proper derbies. Nevertheless, they still generate plenty of attention and interest from both sets of supporters.
Apart from Nantes, Saint-Etienne also consider Olympique Lyonnais as one of their main rivals. These two clubs contest the Derby Rhone-Alpes, a local derby match which also attracts plenty of attention in the French football community.
Saint-Etienne History
Founded by employees of the locally-based grocery store chain called Groupe Casino a century ago, Saint-Etienne were initially referred to as Amicale des Employes de la Societe des Magasins Casino (ASC). The club dropped the word ‘casino’ in 1920, under the prohibition of trademark use by the French Football Federation (FFF).
Saint-Etienne have ten Ligue 1 titles under their belt, whereas they also won three Ligue 2 trophies, the most recent of which came in 2003/04. The Greens also won six Coupe de France medals. Their traditional colour is green. They play their home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard which is also known as The Green Hell.
Stade Reims betting
Stade Reims Odds
The Reds and Whites from Reims are coming off from what can be considered a successful season. As a club returning to the top tier of French football following a season in Ligue 2, Stade Reims made a real statement of intent by finishing 8th during the Ligue 1 2018/19 campaign.
Heading into the 2019/20, Stade Reims have a new mission. Their main aim will be to establish themselves as regular top-tier outlet once again. The eighth-place finish set the bar high last term and the Reds and Whites will have a lot of proving to do. Those of you believing Stade Reims could achieve a successive top-half finish will find the best betting odds for this market at William Hill.
Stade Reims Key Players
The club went slightly under the radar during the summer transfer window to bolster their ranks with a string of talented youngsters. One such is the 23-year-old Serbian international goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic who was brought from Maccabi Tel Aviv. The FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Glove from 2015 and a U-20 World Cup Winner, Rajkovic can be considered quite a coup. The talented custodian took a slow rise to prominence and will relish the chance to prove his worth in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Moreover, Stade Reims also brought a 19-year-old centre-back Dario Maresic, a 21-year-old midfielder Dereck Kutesa and a 23-year-old defensive midfielder Marshall Munetsi. Anastasios Donis, a 23-year-old forward arrived from Stuttgart to complete the list of promising players Stade Reims will expect a lot from this season.
Assisting Donis upfront will be Boulaye Dia, who is ready to take centre stage following his maiden season with the club, during which he scored mere 4 goals in all competitions. The 23-year-old is another young face in the squad and will be keen to make a name for himself in Reims.
Stade Reims Rivalry
Stade Reims are not exactly known as a club with notable rivalries. Not with teams from Ligue 1 at least. However, Stade Reims are involved in what’s referred to as the Derby du Champagne-Ardenne. It’s a three-club rivalry which involves CS Sedan Ardennes, Troyes AC and Stade Reims as the most prominent club of the three.
Champagne-Ardenne is an area located in the northeast of France. It was an administrative region which today remains known for its white wine. When it comes to football, however, the Derby du Champagne-Ardenne is a low-key local rivalry which is not in the same category as nationwide derby matches, such as Le Classique for example.
Stade Reims History
With six Ligue 1 titles in their trophy cabinet, Stade Reims are widely considered one of France’s most successful clubs. The Red and Whites also have two Coupe de France titles and five Trophee des Champions trophies.
Stade Reims are perceived as a legendary football club in France. Such an esteemed reputation was earned during the 1940s and 1950s when Stade Reims provided for the French football’s golden age with some of the most notable names at the time such as Just Fontaine or Raymond Copa, to name but a few. Moreover, Reims was the site of the crowning of the French Kings, which is a historical fact which gives this city a prominent status in French folklore.
Stade Reims are a far cry from the club they once were but the glowing reputation remains and so does the nationwide respect towards this club.
Rennes betting
Rennes Odds
Often called Rennes, which is the name of the city Stade Rennais is based in, the Red and Blacks have become somewhat of a mid-table club in the top tier of French football. Never have they managed to go higher than 4th place in the standings and the 10th-place finish from the 2018/19 season is far from a surprise. However, their Coupe de France success shed great light on an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Over the last ten years, Rennes would float around the mid-point of the table. The 5th spot from 2017/18 is the best position they claimed during the past decade. With competition in Ligue 1 appearing to be stronger than ever, expecting Rennes to break into the top-three in the league would be a foolish thing to do.
Rennes Key Players
Rennes parted ways with no less than 16 players during the summer transfer window. Ismaila Sarr leaving for Watford was arguably the most notable departure, leaving the club short of options on right-wing. The 21-year-old enjoyed a sensational spell at the club and the fact Hornets splashed €30 million for his signature can hardly come as a surprise.
In a bid to bolster their ranks, the board did well to bring the Brazilian Raphinha from Sporting CP. The 22-year-old arrived as a direct replacement for Sarr, while the club also reinforced their attacking options with M’Baye Niang. The former Watford, Milan and Torino forward is only 24 and has a lot of offer. He has never quite managed to prove his true worth and will be expected to finally step up the plate this year.
Flavien Tait, Jonas Martin and Metehan Guclu are other players supporters will be excited to see in action this term. Former Olympique Lyon winger Romain Castillo will also be the player to keep an eye on.
Rennes Rivalry
As one of the top clubs from the French province of Brittany, Stade Reinnais contest Nantes in the Derby de la Bretagne. Also known as the Derby Breton, this match is historically contested between these two clubs even though it may refer to matches involving FC Lorient, Guingamp and Stade Brestois.
Stade Rennais and Nantes first went head-to-head in 1963. The Derby de la Bretagne would often decide which of the two clubs deserves to be called the ‘real capital of Brittany’. During the Derby Breton, both sets of supporters will proudly display symbols advocating their Breton identity.
Celtic symbols are displayed by Rennes fans while Nantes supporters will flaunt the Bretagne primary colours – yellow and green – portrayed on flags displayed during these games.
Rennes History
Rennes were founded in 1901. As one of the members of the 100-year club, Stade Rennais are also one of the founding members of the first division of French football. With no Ligue 1 titles to their name, Rennes have yet to experience the league glory. However, they did win Ligue 2 on two different occasions and won three Coupe de France titles, last of which came in the 2018/19 campaign.
Rennes put in a remarkable display to beat four-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Their third Coupe de France title was also their first piece of domestic silverware since 1971.
Nice betting
Nice Odds
The Eaglets from the French Riviera missed out on European football by long a long distance in 2018/19 season. OGC Nice were ten points short from reaching the fourth place and we do not exactly expect them to challenge for Europa League and Champions League in 2019/20.
Nice struggled with replicating their third-place finish from 2016/17 over the past two terms, despite the fact they did great during the summer transfer market. The Eaglets went through a lot of changes during the past couple of years and with competition in the French top tier stronger than ever, they will have hard time soaring up to European places.
Nice Key Players
The summer behind us brought several changes in OGC Nice’s squad. Allan Saint-Maximin was arguably the most notable departure. The Left winger moved to Newcastle in a deal worth €18 million. Moreover, the club ended up parting ways with left-backs Olivier Boscagli and Romain Perraud, whereas the likes of Mickael le Bihan, Vincent Marcel and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga left the Eaglets deprived of firepower upfront.
Former Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg can be considered a wise investment by the French side. The 21-year-old Denmark international is a highly-rated centre-forward who will be expected to lead the line forward with goals. Dolberg bagged 11 league goals in his last season with the Dutch club and Nice supporters will at least expect him to match the numbers from the 2018/19 campaign. The club invested in bringing a direct replacement for Saint-Maximin as well. Alexis Claude-Maurice was brought from FC Lorient, while Stanley Nsoki from PSG and Riza Durmisi from Lazio will be expected to solve the shortage at left-back.
Nice Rivalry
Nice’s main rival in French football is AS Monaco. The two clubs contest what’s universally referred to as the Derby de la Cote d’Azur. The name is derived from the fact both clubs are located on the French Riviera.
As two cities separated by 20 kilometres, Nice and Monaco developed a geographical rivalry which has been fuelled during the early 200s when both clubs enjoyed successful years in the top flight. The rivalry between these two clubs is fiercely supported and would often result in off-field drama and violence.
Nice History
OGC Nice is one of the founding clubs of the French football’s first division. The club itself was founded in 1904 under the name of Gymnaste Club de Nice. Later on in 1924, the club adopted the new name and changed it into Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice.
Nice went back and forth between the first two divisions of the French football for most of its existence. The club won the total of four Ligue 1 titles, last of which came during the 1958/59 season. Coincidently, the club boasts the same number of Ligue 2 trophies.
As three-time Coupe de France winners, OGC Nice got back to prominence in 2016 when a Chinese-American consortium purchased 80% of the club. Heavy investments resulted in Nice finishing the 2016/17 season in third place and got in the Champions League. However, the consortium sold the club in 2019 and Nice are once again in a transition period which may bring certain instabilities and affect the results in the new season.
Strasbourg betting
Strasbourg Odds
Le Racing will be hoping times of turbulence and instability are gone as they head into the 2019/20 campaign. Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace kick off their third term back in the Ligue 1 following seven successive seasons spent in lower departments of the French Football.
Three promotions in four years brought Le Racing back to the elite rank and that’s exactly where they want to remain. The 15th-place finish from 2017/18 saw Strasbourg avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth but the 11th place from last campaign was a clear sign of improvement. Therefore, a mid-table finish would definitely be considered a success once again in 2019/20.
Strasbourg Key Players
RC Strasbourg are not in a position to parry the more financially stable clubs from Ligue 1. They are, however, doing their best to work with what they’ve got and summer transfer window was a great opportunity to gain some funds and reinvest the squad.
Central midfielder Jonas Martin was the most notable summer departure. Defenders Pablo Martinez and Yoann Salmier will also be missed but the club did well to bring direct replacements. Former Sunderland defender Lamine Kone will be expected to take the matters in his own hands in defence together with Alexander Djiku. Midfielders Sanjin Prcic from Levante and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde from Lens will be tasked with providing for Ludovic Ajorque upfield. The 25-year-old forward joined two years ago from Clermont Foot and 2019/20 could be his year to shine in the top flight.
Strasbourg Rivalry
Le Racing are a club without prominent rivalries in the top-flight. They have been going in and out of Ligue 1 for most of their existence and are not considered a top club in France. Therefore, none of the major French sides such as PSG, Lyon or Lille consider them rivals.
The Derby de l’Est between FC Metz and RC Strasbourg is the only Ligue 1 rivalry Le Racing are part of. Both clubs are situated in eastern France and hence the geographical connection in terms of football. Matches between Metz and Strasbourg generate plenty of attention, locally, but are far off from being of the same stature as other most prominent rivalries.
Moreover, when it comes to more local animosities, Vauban Strasbourg could be considered a rival. Matches with the Championnat National 3 do not occur that often and have no emotional importance for RC Strasbourg fans.
Strasbourg History
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace was founded in 1906. Despite its long history, Strasbourg never quite managed to establish itself as one of France’s leading football clubs. Interestingly enough, despite being one six French clubs to have won all three major trophies in the country – league title, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue – Strasbourg would get relegated once every ten years since the 1950s.
Historically speaking, the club has had a troublesome history. It changed nationality three times – much like the region of Alsace – and even went through total liquidation, in 2011. The FFF decided to reinstate the club into the fifth division of French football and Strasbourg’s rise back to prominence began. Today, RC Strasbourg are in search of stability and will be determined to put the problematic past behind them.
Monaco betting
Monaco Odds
The Principality Club has experienced a stint of uncertainty and drama in 2018/19. AS Monaco avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth – on the final day of the campaign. What started as a year full of hope yet again turned into a relegation battle and Monaco fans will be careful what they wish for ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Ever since returning to Ligue 1 in 2013, AS Monaco would go on to finish in the top three each year. The pinnacle of their money-fuelled rise came in 2017 when Monaco scooped the title and reached the Champions League semi-final. Powered by a fledgling figure of Kylian Mbappe as well as Bernardo Silva, AS Monaco brought plenty of hope and optimism which, sadly, no longer reside at the French Riviera. After all, betting odds of 24.00 for Monaco to achieve the top-three status paint a picture many supporters will not be very fond of.
Monaco Key Players
The Principality Club went through a transformation during the summer transfer window. Youri Tielemans ended up being sold to Leicester City, while several other high-profile stars also left Monaco for good.
Winger Rony Lopes went to Sevilla, right-back Djibril Sidibe was loaned to Everton, while the Colombian forward Falcao left on a free transfer. In the meantime, Leonardo Jardim – who returned to the club in January – brought a couple of notable reinforcements.
Former Sevilla forward Wissam Ben Yedder came to replace Falcao upfield, while Gelson Martins is here to provide plenty of spark to the right wing. Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko joined Monaco in a loan deal, while Guillermo Maripan and one of France’s most talented goalkeepers Benjamin Lecomte are also the new arrivals.
Wissam Ben Yedder and Islam Slimani will both be in charge of supplying goals in 2019/20, while all eyes will also be on Keita Balde who is expected to have a big season in Monaco.
Monaco Rivalry
OGC Nice are AS Monaco’s main rivals. The two clubs situated in the French Riviera contest what’s universally known as the Derby de la Cote d’Azur. Their rivalry is manly a geographical one knowing that two clubs are only 20 kilometres apart.
However, the animosity between the two sets of supporters grew over the past couple of years with Monaco’s stellar rise back to prominence in France. With financial investments pushing the Principality Club back on domestic and international radar alike, the rivalry intensified and would still bring plenty of drama – violence even.
The Derby de la Cote d’Azur may also refer to the games which involve AS Cannes. However, with this club currently competing in lower ranks of French football, the derby is mainly contested between Monaco and Nice.
Monaco History
With eight Ligue 1 titles and five Coupe de France trophies to their name, AS Monaco are one of the most successful clubs in France. Founded in 1924 under the name of Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club, The Red and Whites achieved notable success in international circles, reaching the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Champions League finals in 1992 and 2004, respectively.
AS Monaco won their first professional trophy in 1960 and enjoyed great success domestically up until 1986. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the club was reinvigorated under legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Jean Tigana and Claude Puel.
The 2000s saw AS Monaco go through great turbulence up until the point when the club were sold to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2011. Under his sponsorship, the Principality Club quickly returned under the spotlight – and back to Ligue 1 – winning it in 2016/17 for the first time in 17 years.
Brest betting
Brest Odds
The first year back in the top flight is special for any team and Stade Brest will not be an exemption to the rule. The Pirate Team, as Stade Brest are universally called in France, secured their fifth-ever season in Ligue 1 after finishing second in Ligue 2 during the 2018/19 campaign.
Having spent six long years in the second division of French football, Brest will be eager to keep their elite status for longer than a single season. They spent three straight seasons in Ligue 1 from 2010 to 2013 in their previous top-flight stint. Brest had never suffered immediate relegation and if that’s anything to go by, you would be well advised to use Bet365 betting odds on Brest staying up at the end of the season.
Brest Key Players
As a relatively small football club, Brest haven’t got the financial power of other Ligue 1 clubs. The Pirate Team faired with modesty in the summer transfer market, boosting their squad with a couple of loan deals and bringing free agents mainly.
However, they ended up splashing a notable €7.5 million on four players who will be expected to make a big difference on the pitch. Ibrahima Diallo is a defensive midfielder who arrived from Monaco and is arguably the most notable signing for Brest. Centre-back Jean-Kevin Duverne joined from Lens, while another defender – Romain Perraud – was brought from Nice.
Centre-forward Irvin Cordona of Monaco will be expected to provide goals, while the 25-year-old free agent Alexandre Mendy will be helping him in that department.
Brest Rivalry
Brest is the city located in the furthest west of all 13 French regions. Brittany is a historic region where Derby Breton matches are contested among a couple of different clubs located in the area.
Stade Rennes and FC Nantes are the two most notable rivals from the region. However, the Derby Breton usually includes Guingamp, Lorient as well as Stade Brest. Moreover, the minnows such as Quimper, Vannes OC or US Siant-Malo are also involved in this local rivalry.
Brest History
The club was founded in 1950. The full name reads Stade Brestois 29 but Brest are also knows as The Pirate Team or Our Winds. Brest is a city located in a sheltered bay off the tip of France which makes the club’s nicknames much easier to understand.
Brest are not among the most established football clubs in France. Brest have got only 14 top-flight seasons under their belt while they spent most of their existence fighting through the lower echelons of French football.
The Pirate Club’s favourite colour is red and they play their home matches at the Stade Francis-Le Ble. This multi-use venue can fit 15,000 spectators and is named after a famous mayor of Brest who died in 1982.
Amiens betting
Amiens Odds
The Unicorns, as people call Amiens in France, have been going through a gradual downfall in the Ligue 1 over the past three seasons. The Les Licornes earned historic promotion to the top flight in 2016/17 and went on to record a respectable 13th-place finish in the subsequent season.
They went two steps back in their second season, finishing 15th with still a comfortable place in the standings. The club seems to be losing steam, however, and if any pattern is to be recognized based on Amiens’ records over the past two years, the Unicorns could easily be in for a relegation fight during the 2019/20 campaign.
The French league is getting more competitive each year and smaller sides such as Amines face a losing battle against the financially dominant clubs. Surviving the cut will be their top priority this year but the early betting predictions are bleak.
Amiens Key Players
Gael Kakuta and Christophe Jallet are the most notable names in the squad. The 28-year-old Kakuta spent seven years on Chelsea’s book despite only making 6 first-team appearances for the London-based club. Between 2009 and 2015, the French winger plied his trade on loans at Fulham, Bolton, Dijon, Vitesse and Lazio, before securing a permanent move to Sevilla. A former French youth international has widely struggled to nail a starting status at any club he’s played for. He joined Amines in 2019 and will be hoping to make a significant contribution for one of France’s minnows.
As for the 36-year-old right-back Jallet, he joined Amiens following a two-season stint with Nice. The former French international will be expected to bring plenty of experience to Amiens’ backline. Together with Emil Krafth on the right-back, Jallet will hope to form a respectable defence wall outside Regis Gurtner’s goal.
Amiens signed no less than 15 new players during the summer transfer window and will need some time to complete the first-team puzzle. Time is a rare commodity in modern football and the Unicorns will need to put all the pieces together quickly if they are to survive in Ligue 1.
Amiens Rivalry
Still consider a newcomer in Ligue 1, Amiens do not exactly have a rival side in the top flight. They have yet to forge a rivalry at the top level. Moreover, they are widely considered an amicable side, universally admired for its efforts and a remarkable story behind its most recent rise to Ligue 1.
The Unicorns are enjoying their first-ever stint in the top-flight and have yet to find their nemesis. If there is one club that could be identified as a rival for Amines, it will be ESTAC Troyes. The two clubs vied fierce battles in Ligue 2 but Amines currently holds an upper hand of the former Intertoto Cup winners (2001) as they are the only ones holding the Ligue 1 torch at the moment.
Amiens History
Amiens Sporting Club was founded in 1901. The Unicorns have never won a major trophy and are not exactly among the most notable football clubs in France. They are, nevertheless, a fascinating side. Their stellar rise to Ligue 1 was well documented in French football history books.
The club finished third in the French third division in 2015/16 to jump up to Ligue 2, while managing to secure their second successive promotion a year later – finishing as runners-up. Their almost vertical rise to prominence will always be remembered and cherished by their fans, which tend to flock the Stade de la Licorne week in and week out.
Metz betting
Metz Odds
The Maroons, as people like to call Metz in France, are heading into the 2019/20 season as Ligue 2 champions. The club fought its way back into Ligue 1 after only one season spent in the second tier of the French football and will, as a result, be keen to defend its status in the elite competition.
However, Metz are looking to avoid what would be their third relegation in the last six years and manager Vincent Hongon is facing a proper challenge. The Ligue 1 competition seems bigger than ever and staying up will prove to be quite difficult for the club from a cultural and historical region of Lorraine.
Metz Key Players
Metz centre-forward Habib Diallo is the man to keep a close eye on during the 2019/20 campaign. Diallo bagged 26 goals in the French second division last term and led Metz to promotion back into the Ligue 1. A few Premier League clubs have already taken notice of his emerging talents but Metz managed to fight off the interest for the 24-year-old. Diallo’s fantastic form earned him a place in the Senegalese national team where he would hope to play alongside and learn from Sadio Mane, who kicked off his professional career at Metz.
Metz made several moves in the transfer market last summer. The supporters will relish a chance to see Adama Traore and Thierry Ambrose in action this season. The central midfielder and centre-forward arrived on loan from Monaco and Manchester City, respectively, in search of regular first-team football and could be given a chance to shine.
Metz Rivalry
RC Strasbourg are Metz’s main rivals. These two club contest what’s universally referred to as the Derby de l’Est. It is a geographical rivalry between the two clubs located in the eastern part of the country. However, it is not exactly considered one of the most prominent rivalries in French football.
If we were to zoom into a narrower geographical zone, Metz have another local rival – Nancy. As the two major clubs located in the historic region of Lorraine, Metz and Nancy would vie great battles in Ligue 2. With Metz now competing in Ligue 1, it could be a while before the fans on both ends get a chance to enjoy in what’s universally known as the Derby Lorrain.
Metz History
The Maroons were founded in 1932. However, the club’s roots trace back to 1905 when the city of Metz was part of the German Empire. FC Metz were then known as the SpVgg Metz, playing in the Westkreis-Liga before the First World War outbreak.
As one of the oldest football clubs in France, Metz are also recognized for their successful youth academy. A long list of prominent, world-class football stars made their first steps at Metz. The list includes the likes of Robert Pires, Louis Saha, Miralem Pjanic and aforementioned Sadio Mane, to name but a few.
Despite their rich history, Metz have yet to win the French championship. They did come agonizingly close to lifting the titles, though, as they finished as runners-up during the 1997/98. The four-time Ligue 2 winners have two Coupe de France titles in their trophy cabinet, alongside two Coupe de la Ligue medals.
Dijon betting
Dijon Odds
Les Moutardes, as Dijon are known in France, went through a lot of trouble to preserve their Ligue 1 status in 2018/19. The Mustards finished the regular part of the season in 18th place in the standings and were forced to fight through the relegation play-offs to remain in the French top-tier.
One of the youngest professional clubs in France managed to beat Lens 4-2 on aggregate and will be extremely motivated to avoid any relegation drama heading into the 2019/20 campaign. Such an aim will be easier said than done, however. The betting odds of 3.60 make Dijon the third favourite to suffer relegation this year, with only Toulouse and Metz given worse chances of survival than the Mustards.
And after four years of battling it out in the top tier, the club founded in 1998 after a merger of two Dijon-based sides could be all but set for a move back into the Ligue 2.
Dijon Key Players
A players’ exodus is hard to avoid when you are a struggling side. Dijon suffered a similar fate during the summer transfer window of 2019 when one of their key performers from last season, Wesley Said, left the club. The right winger moved to Toulouse, while Dijon also parted ways with Naim Sliti as their second most notable player. Said and Sliti scored a combined tally of 7 goals in Ligue 1 during the 2018/19 season. With 5 assists to his name, Sliti was the team’s best assistant.
On the positive note, Dijon supporters will be glad Julio Tavares remained at the club. The experienced 31-year-old centre-forward bagged 5 goals and provided further 4 for his teammates last term. The Cape Verde finisher was rewarded with a captain’s armband for his last season’s exploits and will be the man to watch in the new campaign.
Moreover, Dijon were fairly active during the summer and all eyes will also be on midfielder Didier Ndong and right winger Mama Balde, who joined from Guingamp and Sporting, respectively.
Dijon Rivalry
As things stand, Dijon haven’t exactly got a football rival in the top tier of French football. Being a relatively young club with a short history in Ligue 1, Dijon have yet to forge notable adversaries. However, AJ Auxerre from Ligue 2 are worth mentioning as Dijon’s local rivals.
The two clubs contest what’s universally called the Derby de Bourgogne. Additionally, this derby might also include a third side from the Burgundy region – FC Gueugnon. This club is currently sitting deep in the third level of French football and is not exactly a notable rival for either of the two clubs.
Dijon History
Historically speaking, Dijon was first founded in 1913 when the football section of Dijon Secular Club was formed. However, the city of Dijon struggled to promote a side that would bring both city and region to the football map of France.
It was in 1998 when Dijon FC merged with Cercle Sportif Laique Dijonnais in an effort to provide the city with a single football entity. Originally called Dijon Football Cote-d’Or (DFCO), the new club reached Ligue 2 in 2004 and joined the top-tier of French football in 2011 for the first time in their history. Their Ligue 1 spell was short-lived as Dijon returned to Ligue 2 the very next year.
However, after four years back in the second division, Dijon were promoted back to Ligue 1 in 2016 where they intend to remain as long as possible, despite the odds speaking against them.
Nimes betting
Nimes Odds
Universally known as The Crocodiles, Nimes Olympique head into their second successive season in Ligue 1. They reached the top flight of French football after finishing second in Ligue 2 during the 2017/18 campaign and did remarkably well to finish ninth in 2018/19.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Nimes-based minnows will be able to resist falling a victim to the second season syndrome. Having performed above expectations in their first Ligue 1 season, The Crocodiles will be under immense pressure. The betting odds in the region of 1.44 do not offer great promise in Nimes’ relegation fight.
Nimes Key Players
The Crocodiles are the club based in southern France. Located neatly between the Mediterranean Sea and Cevennes mountains, Nimes has a regional rivalry with Toulouse. The proximity of two cities fuelled a long-standing rivalry between the two clubs which is universally referred to as the Derby du Languedoc. Also known as the Derby de l’Herault, this rivalry has been reignited with Nimes returning to the top flight of French football. Nimes matches generate plenty of attention from a supporter’s point of view. Their most affectionate and loyal fans are known as the Gladiators. The name refers to the club’s rich history which dates back to the Roman Empire.
Nimes Rivalry
The Crocodiles are the club based in southern France. Located neatly between the Mediterranean Sea and Cevennes mountains, Nimes has a regional rivalry with Toulouse. The proximity of two cities fuelled a long-standing rivalry between the two clubs which is universally referred to as the Derby du Languedoc. Also known as the Derby de l’Herault, this rivalry has been reignited with Nimes returning to the top flight of French football. Nimes matches generate plenty of attention from a supporter’s point of view. Their most affectionate and loyal fans are known as the Gladiators. The name refers to the club’s rich history which dates back to the Roman Empire.
Nimes History
The Crocodiles were founded in 1901 under the name of Sporting Club Nimois (SCN). The club was originally intended for young Protestants only but grew into a wider football organisation following World War I. It was in April 1922 that SCN united with another Nimes-based side – F.A. Nimois. Despite their initial success which saw the club win a place in the highest championship of French football at the time – Division d’Honneur – Nimes suffered dire financial problems and abandoned all activities in 1937.
SCN ceased to exist and the club then moved to the district of Lozere-Gard, when a local businessman restructured the club under the name it uses today – Nimes Olympique. Nimes play their home matches at Stade des Costieres in front of 18,480 people. Before the kick-off of every home game, an extract of George Bizet’s opera Carmen is played which is an interesting and unusual detail for a football club.
Toulouse betting
Toulouse Odds
The last couple of years have been rather difficult for Toulouse. The Kids finished the 2018/19 season in 16th place, barely avoiding the relegation playoffs. Though widely disappointing, such a result could be even considered a step forward compared to 2017/18 when Toulouse had to go through a two-legged battle against Ajaccio to preserve their top-flight status.
Unfortunately, the Kids failed to learn from the hardship and made little improvements going further. The ongoing struggles are not expected to go away that easily knowing that Ligue 1 competition is growing exponentially. Major betting websites are not giving Toulouse much chance of staying up following successive seasons of struggle. The Kids are standing at 1.44 betting odds to be relegated at the end of 2019/20 which makes them the biggest favourites for the drop.
Toulouse Key Players
Max Gradel was a rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing side in 2018/19. The experienced left-winger scored 11 goals and further provided 8 assists in his first season at the club after joining from Bournemouth. Such an impressive tally made Gradel the most valuable player at the club and he will once again be the man to keep an eye on.
Toulouse lost a couple of important players during the summer transfer window but the board worked hard to find adequate replacements. The supporters will be keen to see Wesley Said in action after his €8 million transfer from Dijon. Efthymios Kouloris, Jean Victor-Makengo, Augustin Rogel and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin are other summer arrivals the fans will hope can raise the bar at Toulouse and help the club avoid relegation this year.
Toulouse Rivalry
The Derby de la Garonne is the match Toulouse supporters anticipate the most. This game is contested between Bordeaux and Toulouse, two clubs from two cities located along the Garonne River. The two cities are only 244 kilometres apart and their proximity fuelled the rivalry which was first ignited in 1946.
During the course of French football’s history, this particular rivalry went through different stages. The animosity went completely dormant following Toulouse’s administrative relegation to the Championnat National. However, it was in 2001 that the Derby de la Garonne got back under the spotlight with Toulouse returning to Ligue 1.
Toulouse History
The current incarnation of Toulouse FC came to life in 1970. It was not until 1982 that Toulouse reached the top flight of the French football, however. Les Pitchouns, as people call Toulouse in France, bounced back and forth between the top two divisions for the majority of their early existence, all the way until 2001 when the club slipped down to the third tier of competition due to financial problems.
Two seasons later, Toulouse got back on their feet and slowly rose to prominence capped by their memorable 2007 season. Toulouse finished third and booked their place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Toulouse are not among the most notable French sides. They have yet to win a single Ligue 1 trophy and it seems as if their fans could be in for a long wait before their club lifts any trophy. Les Pitchouns only have two pieces of silverware in their trophy cabinet – two Ligue 2 titles from 1982 and 2003.
Marseille betting
Marseille Odds
After three years in charge of the club and a memorable run to the UEFA Europa League final in 2018, Rudy Garcia left Marseille at the end of the 2018/19 campaign. Having failed to lead the club to European places and following struggles in cup competitions, a change was needed.
Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas took over and was immediately tasked with securing European football. Marseille are a shoo-in to grab a top-three finish during the 2019/20 season with 1.57 betting odds stacked in their favour.
The Portuguese tactician was given a chance to revive the club but his career as well. His spells in Chelsea and Tottenham both resulted in sackings. And even though his Zenit Saint Petersburg spell brought a cup double, Andre Villas-Boas has got plenty to prove in southern France.
Marseille Key Players
Villas-Boas’ job was made ever so more difficult by the fact several key players left Marseille in the summer of 2019. The likes of Lucas Ocampos, Luiz Gustavo, Clinton N’Jie, Adil Rami and ultimately Mario Balotelli have left Villas-Boas shorthanded.
The club did, however, make efforts to bolster their ranks. The likes of Dario Benedetto and Valentin Roniger arrived from Boca Juniors and FC Nantes, respectively, for a combined feel of €27 million. It is Florian Thauvin, however, who is expected to lead the line for OM once again. The former Newcastle flop is back to his best and will be the one to watch for Marseille. He will be backed by an experienced duo – Dimitri Payet and Kevin Strootman – both under the spotlight as well.
Marseille Rivalry
Andre Villas-Boas did well to ease the pressure ahead of the new season. The Portuguese manager claimed PSG were contesting in a ‘different league’ in reference to their wealth and riches. Having relieved the pressure off his club about Le Classique, Marseille boss inadvertently turned his focus towards another high-note derby his club is involved in.
Derby de France against PSG might be the biggest game in the country but Marseille are also involved in what’s called Olympico, against Olympique Lyonnais. Also referred to as the Choc des Olympiques, matches between Marseille and Lyon are quite different to blood-boiling clashes with PSG.
The Olympico rivalry stems from pure competitiveness of the clubs’ players, managers and supporters in regards to fight for high-standard supremacy. This rivalry dates back to 1945, long before PSG were even established (1970) and therefore carries great importance for both sets of supporters.
Marseille History
Olympique de Marseille were founded in 1899, seven years after Rene Dufaure de Montmirail established an omnisport club with a primary focus on rugby. Football began gaining pace under the influence of English and German people from the French Sports Union USFSA and it was in the early 1900’s that Olympique de Marseille started making a name for themselves.
Marseille have spent most of their football history playing in the highest tier of French football. Moreover, they are the first and only club to win the European crown, in 1993 after beating Milan 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Olympians, as Marseille are also known, play their matches at Stade Velodrome, which is a 67,000-seater venue situated in the southern part of the city. In addition to their Champions League title, Marseille also have nine Ligue 1 titles and 10 Coupe de France medals.
PSG betting
PSG Odds
Having scooped six Ligue 1 titles in last seven years, French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain have once again been installed as firm favourites to claim the French crown. Former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel is starting his second season in charge of the club and the pressure seems to be higher than ever. Last year’s European failure has once again shown that PSG are far away from being a match to the continent’s elite. Therefore, the Champions League is once again the club’s main focus. The Parisiens are given 8.00 betting odds to claim the coveted title, which is a bit of a stretch.
PSG Key Players
Paris Saint-Germain have built a reputation for themselves over the past couple of years. However, there were no groundbreaking moves in the summer transfer window of 2019 – at least not up to the usual standard they set. Les Parisiens added plenty of depth to their midfielder. They played it wise by bringing Pablo Sarabia, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye, whereas the last-minute arrival of former Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi further raised the profile of their attacking options. The French youngster Kylian Mbappe is expected to grow further in prominence and overshadow the Brazilian wonder Neymar as PSG’s biggest star. With frightening pace, sensational skills and amazing finishing ability, the France international looks like the next big thing in world football. Mbappe is currently the biggest favourite to become the Ligue 1 top goalscorer with betting odds of 2.30 next to his name.
PSG Rivalry
Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille are the clubs contesting one of the biggest football derbies in Europe. Matches between these clubs are often referred to as Le Classique and Derbh de France. Le Classique is considered the biggest rivalry in the country. When it comes to the overall atmosphere, matches between PSG and Marseille are also the most violent ones. The Derby de France is more than a football rivalry. It extends beyond the pitch. When clubs from the two largest cities in France go head-to-head, it’s also two cultures colliding. The capital against the province always carries a huge cultural and social importance. Along with three points, bragging rights are always on stake when these two clubs meet.
PSG History
Not exactly among the oldest clubs in world football, Paris Saint-Germain have been founded in 1970. The club, however, wasted little time into establishing itself as a major force in France. With 40 titles to their name, PSG are the most successful clubs in France. Moreover, Les Parisiens to this date remain the only French side never to play outside Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. In addition to being the most successful club in the country, PSG are also the most popular team in France. Also called Les Parisiens or Les Bleus, the club is only one of two French teams to have ever won a major European title. UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup from 1995/96 are still waiting for their European title under the new ownership which revolutionised the club with great investments since 2011.
Angers betting
Angers Odds
Angers Sporting Club de l’Ouest are celebrating an important milestone in the 2019/20 campaign. Namely, this year is their 100th professional season and such a historic occasion deserves plenty of respect from the overall football community.
Universally referred to as Angers, the club from the west of France will be looking to mark the occasion with fittingly. Les Scoistes – as Angers are commonly known – managed to collect 46 points last year, which was enough for the 13th place finish. This time around, the club will be keen to push it up a notch and earn the top-ten finish.
Such a result would be considered quite a feat but the most important thing is that Angers are not seen as relegation candidates in their festive year. The bookmakers see them at 26.00 betting odds to suffer a drop, which in all honesty is a bit far-fetched option given the circumstances.
Angers Key Players
With 11 goals to his name during the 2018/19 campaign, centre-forward Stephane Bahoken led the line for Stephane Moulin’s side. The 27-year-old Cameroon international will once again be the one to watch, while the supporters also have high hopes for Rachid Alioui, Casimir Ninga and Farid El Melali.
Angers midfielder suffered a huge blow during the summer with jeff Reine-Adelaide leaving for Olympique Lyon in a €25 million deal. The Nimes midfielder duo – Sada Thioub and Antonin Bobichon – were brought to replace the 21-year-old, however.
Mathias Pereira Lage was another midfielder to bolster the ranks of Angers this summer and it’s fair to assume the club board did a good job in replacing one of the greatest talents in the country.
Angers Rivalry
Despite their century-long history and tradition, Angers are not considered to be the most notable clubs in France. As such, they do not exactly have any major rivalries with clubs from the Ligue 1. However, their main competitors in the top-flight are FC Nantes.
The two teams compete in what’s called the Derby de l’ouest. It’s a provincial derby between two clubs situated in cities less than 60 miles apart. Also called the Derby of the West, this rivalry is not exactly a hotly-contested affair. It is, however, a game that usually generates plenty of attention in local media.
Angers History
The Black and Whites were founded in the same year as the French Football Federation (1919) which makes them one of the oldest clubs in the country. Le Havre and AS Strasbourg remain the oldest sports establishments in France but it’s worth noting that these two started their respective journeys as an athletics club and a German team, respectively.
Angers have been a proud member of the Ligue 1 since 2015. This year marks Angers’ return to the top flight after a 21-year absence. Their best result in France’s top division was the 4th-place finish in the 1972/72 campaign when the Black and Whites participated in the UEFA Cup.
Another notable result of this century-old football club is their Coupe de France final in 2017. Angers played Paris Saint-Germain and did well to give French giants a proper scare. PSG won thanks to a 91st-minute own goal with Angers ultimately failing to lift the trophy on bad luck.
Montpellier betting
Montpellier Odds
The La Paillade, as people call Montpellier in France, did extraordinarily well to finish the 2018/19 campaign in sixth place. Their fine season went slightly below the radar but Michel Der Zakarian is hoping his team would be able to build upon the result and perhaps even challenge for the top-four finish. And just in case you are willing to back their cause, best betting odds for Montpellier can be found at Bet365.
Such an idea might sound like a tall order against the likes of Marseille, Lyon and Lille among others, but Montpellier will have their hopes high after a successful summer. They might not be one of the most notable sides in the league but they have great value and quality within their squad. Unlike the main top-three contenders who went through plenty of trouble this summer with multiple departures, Montpellier have kept the balance.
Montpellier Key Players
The departure of Benjamin Lecompte might be seen as a huge blow to Montpellier’s chances. One of France’s most consistent goalkeepers moved to Monaco but Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad is indeed considered a worthy replacement.
Centre-forward Andy Delort is the perhaps the most notable signing of the summer transfer window and the player fans expect to see most of during the 2019/20 campaign. Central midfielder Teji Savanier, however, will be the one to keep an eye on as the most expensive summer investment.
Manager Der Zakarian has been working quietly and effectively to compose a stable squad, packed with plenty of talent and more than capable of mounting (at least) a top-table finish, which ultimately is the goal.
Montpellier Rivalry
As far as the top flight of French football goes, Montpellier have only one prominent rival. Montpellier supporters regard Nimes as their greatest enemies with the animosity between the two sides stemming back to 1950s. As regional rivals, Montpellier and Nimes contest what’s universally called the Derby du Languedoc or better yet the Derby de l’Herault. The rivalry grew stronger and more pronounced in 1978-79 campaign when a couple of high-profile footballers and former Nimes stars chose to sign for Montpellier. The signings were the ultimate sign of a power shift which began to take form towards the La Paillade.
Montpellier History
Montpellier was founded in 1919 under the name General Montpellier Sports Association. The first members of the club were a couple of wealthy citizens of the city aiming to put the club on the sports map of France. Montpellier were among the first clubs in the country to go fully professional since the very beginning – in 1930 when the National Council of the French Football Federation decided to push it up a notch. The club went from Ligue 1 to Ligue 2 and back during its inaugural professional years.
Throughout its history, Montpellier also endured a short spell in Ligue 3 at the turn of the century but went back up to the top-tier under the guidance of Rolland Courbis. It was Rene Girard, however, who turned Montpellier into champions in 2011/12 campaign.
This title remains the only top-flight trophy for a club which was also a two-time Coupe de France champions and once a Coupe de la Ligue winner. Moreover, Montpellier are also proud winners of the UEFA Intertoto Cup from 1999.
Bordeaux betting
Bordeaux Odds
FC Girondins de Bordeaux will be keen to forget the dismal 2018/19 campaign as soon as possible. Having changed no less than three different managers during the last season, Bordeaux sailed into calm waters under the guidance of Paulo Sousa.
The experienced tactician will be determined to steer the ship as further away from last term’s 14th-place finish and with quality that’s at his disposal, the supporters have every right to hope for a top-half finish. The betting odds of 14/1 for a place in the top three might sound like a tall order but it puts them in a group of top-six clubs aiming for the Champions League places. Fourth place would not be considered too bad of a finish as well and it would, in all honesty, mark a huge step forward following a disastrous spell.
Bordeaux Key Players
Unlike last summer when the club focused on youthful reinforcements, Paulo Sousa had his sights set on experienced players and free agents mostly. Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny arrived after a fallout in London and Bordeaux will have been pleased with the fact they only paid €5 million for a player of that caliber.
Other notable additions include Youssef Ait Bennasser, Loris Benito, Enock Kwateng and Mexer all of whom arrived as free agents.
Nicolas de Preville and Josh Maja will be the players to watch in the 2019/20 season. The center-forward duo will be expected to provide goals for the team whereas attacking midfielder Yacine Adli is there to support them from between the lines.
Bordeaux Rivalry
The Girondins, as Bordeaux are commonly known, have one major rival in Ligue 1. Contested between the two major clubs from cities located along the Garonne River, the Derby de la Garonne is a highly-anticipated local derby with Toulouse.
The Garonne Derby grew in competitiveness at the turn of the century (in 2003) when Toulouse got back to the top tier of French football following administrative relegation to the third division -Champoionnat National. With only 150 miles between the two cities, rivalry between Bordeaux and Toulouse was first ignited in 1946.
Bordeaux History
Initially founded as a multi-sport club which was a customary practice in France, Bordeaux went through a lengthy period from 1881 to 1920 without having football under its umbrella. The first unsuccessful experiment with football had happened in 1910 but it was not until a decade later that this sport was added to the mix.
The Girondins achieved professional status in 1936 and have since then grown into one of the most successful football clubs in France. Bordeaux are a six-time national champions and proud owners of four Coupe de France medals. Moreover, they won three Coupe de la Ligue titles and even played in the UEFA Cup final in 1996. The only international trophy they have won to this date remains the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup title. Bordeaux play their home matches at the Matmut Atlantique stadium, better known as the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, build ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016. The modern-looking sports venue seats over 42,000 people. In addition to football, the stadium also hosts a series of other events, including concerts.
Nantes betting
Nantes Odds
Football Club de Nantes have been on a downward slope over the past couple of seasons. Hey went from being 7th in Ligue 1 standings in 2016/17 to a disappointing 12th-place finish in not more than just two years’ time. The Canaries, as Nantes are commonly known in France, will be aiming to regain their top-table status and launch a European challenge during the 2019/20 campaign. The club have hired the experienced tactician to guide them forward in Christian Gourcuff who replaced Vahid Halihodzic at the helm in August 2019.
To say Nantes will be able to mount a top-three challenge would be a far-fetched assumption at 12.00 betting odds. However, a top-six finish would still be considered success for the Canaries.
Nantes Key Players
A disappointing finish to the 2018/19 season launched a mass exodus in Nantes with no less than 16 players leaving the club. Diego Carlos, Valentin Rongier, Lucas Lima and Koffi Djidji were the most notable departures. The club did pocket a hefty €40 million fee during the summer transfer market but Gourcuff will nevertheless have a tough time replacing the leading men.
The new manager was backed to rebuild during summer. Operating on a tight budget, the new tactician brought in the likes of Ludovic Blas, Marcus Coco, Molla Wague, Abou Ba and Dennis Appiah among other names. The club spent a combined fee of around €14.5 million on five new players, while at the same time adding a couple of free agents such as Alban Lafont, a talented 20-year-old Fiorentina goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old Mali striker Kaliffa Coulibaly will be the one to keep an eye on during the 2019/20 season. Former PSG and Gent forward bagged 8 goals across all competitions for Nantes in the previous campaign and will be expected to lead the line in attack all over again.
Nantes Rivalry
As a club based in the historic province of Brittany, Nantes have a number of regional rivalries universally called the Derby de la Bretagne. The saucy moniker designates any football match between the most notable clubs in the region. Apart from Nantes, these include Stade Brestois 29, Rennes and Lorient from Ligue 1 but also Guingamp of Ligue 2 and a couple of low-tier football clubs.
Nantes and Rennes are the two biggest clubs in the region and are historically identified as the carriers of the Brittany rivalry. The Derby de la Bretagne stems back to 1963 when these two clubs first locked horns in a competitive match.
Nantes History
The Canaries were officially formed during the World War II in 1943. Several local clubs joined forces to form one large club and show unity in dire times which could even have a poetic meaning given the circumstances. Stemming from the unique atmosphere the club was founded in is the collective spirit Nantes are renowned for even today.
With eight Ligue 1 titles decorating their trophy room, the Canaries are one of the most successful clubs in France. Three Coupe de France trophies and on Coupe de la Ligue medal add to the silverware count. They play their matches at the Stade de la Le Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau which can fit 35,000 people.
Lyon betting
Lyon Odds
Bruno Generio completed his four-year stint at the helm of Lyon by guiding the club to a respectable third-place finish. Olympique Lyonnais chiefs took a gamble in May 2019 with appointing former Arsenal full-back Sylvinho but it came back to haunt them.
A disappointing start to the 2019/20 season saw club officials turn towards a more established name and hired Rudy Garcia in October 2019. The former Roma and Marseille boss took over at a delicate time and will overlook the team’s Ligue 1 and Champions League endeavours under great pressure from the stands and the executive offices.
Having successfully booked their place in Europe’s elite competition last year, Lyon will be urged to at least replicate the last season’s finish and get into the top three. And they do look like a safe bet at 3.25 betting odds which puts them behind Marseille and Lille as the main bookies’ contenders to lock the top-three finish and play in Europe again next year.
Lyon Key Players
Achieving the top-three aim will be easier said than done knowing that Lyon lost three key players during the summer transfer window. Influential central midfielder Tanguy Ndombele moved to London in a big-buck deal with Tottenham. The Spurs splashed out €60 million for the 22-year-old who will be sorely missed.
Moreover, left-back Ferland Mendy moved to Real Madrid in a €48 million transfer, whereas attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir put on a Real Betis shirt.
In the meantime, the board worked hard to reinvest in the squad. Joachim Andersen was brought from Sampdoria to boost the backline, while Thiago Mendes of Lille came to add to the defensive midfield wall. The exciting youth prospect Jeff Reine-Adelaide arrived from Angers, while Youssouf Kone was brought as a direct replacement for Mendy at left-back.
Lyon Rivalry
As one of the most prominent clubs in the top tier of French football, Lyon contest different rivalries with clubs of similar stature such as Marseille, Bordeaux of Paris Saint-Germaine. However, Lyon’s biggest rival from a historical point of view are Saint-Etienne.
These two clubs contest what’s universally known as Derby Rhone-Alpes. Also referred to as Le Derby, this match pits two clubs located in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. The rivalry dates back to 1951 when Lyon and Saint-Etienne played their first-ever official match.
Today, matches between these two clubs are seen as one of the highlights of the Ligue 1 calendar and draw plenty of interest both on and off the pitch. As the two clubs separated by not more than 50 kilometres, Lyon and Saint-Etienne have, over time, developed a hotly-contested rivalry. It’s a game between white-collar and blue-collar communities which, by default, carry great weight and importance.
Lyon History
Olympique Lyonnais as commonly called Les Gones which translates as The Kids. The club was formed in 1899 but had not been officially registered and nationally established until 1950. The turn of the century marked the beginning of the most successful period in the club’s history.
Seven-time Ligue 1 champions, Lyon won their first-ever domestic title in 2002. The year marked the beginning of a French record for successive Ligue 1 titles, currently standing at seven in a row. Apart from 7 Ligue 1 trophies, Lyon are also five-time winners of Coupe de France. They also lifted the Coupe de la Ligue trophy in 2000/01 and won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1997.
Lyon play their home matches at the Groupama Stadium which boasts a capacity of nearly 60,000 people. The new venue was built in 2016 and replaced Lyon’s previous home – Stade de Gerland.
Lille betting
Lille Odds
Lille Olympique Sporting Club are coming off from a successful campaign in 2018/19. The Great Danes, as Lille are universally called around the globe, did well to lock the second place in the league behind champions PSG and thus return to the Champions League for the first time since 2012.
Les Dogues are determined to replicate the last year’s success and can be backed at 2.75 betting odds to claim a successive top-three finish in the French top flight. Such a feat will be easier said than done, knowing that competition for places up top is as fierce as ever.
Lille Key Players
The summer was rather busy over at Lille OSC. Les Dogues parted ways with a couple of highly influential players. Right winger Nicolas Pepe was sold to Arsenal for a club-record €80 million. With 23 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, Pepe was Lille’s key performer.
Apart from the 24-year-old winger, Lille also lost Rafael Leao, Thiago Mendes, Anwar El Ghazi and Youssouf Kone, all of whom formed the team’s backbone last season.
The board worked hard to bring the adequate replacements and Lille ended up being pretty active on the acquisition side of the spectrum. The likes of Renato Sanches, Yusuf Yazici, Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Andre and Timothy Weah – the son of legendary George Weah – are all expected to make a difference during the 2019/20 campaign.
The club splashed €58.5 million on these five signings and the pressure will be upon them to deliver. With Nicolas Pepe out of the picture, Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba will be expected to step up their game and lead the team forward together with high-note arrivals.
Lille Rivalry
As a club from the north of the country, Lille take part in what’s commonly referred to as the Derby du Nord. This game pits together two most successful clubs from the region – Lille and Lens. The former are not exactly situated in the north part of France but the proximity and sociological differences between the two sets of supporters have fueled this rivalry into a hotly-contested one ever since 1937.
Matches between Lille and Lens would usually spark intense feelings on both ends as they would often determine the international faith of respective clubs. Nowadays, the rivalry is not that prominent, however, knowing that Lille are currently vying their battles in Ligue 2.
Lille History
Lille Olympique Sporting Club rose from the post-war ashes in the autumn of 1944 with two Ligue 1 clubs – Olympique Lillois and Sporting Club Fivois – merging into a single Lille-based football club.
The early years brought notable results for Lille with the club winning two league titles in the first decade and also scooping five Coupe de France wins out of seven finals. The club lost its way, however, and it wasn’t until the late 90s that Lille began to lay the grounds for future success.
The supporters were forced to go through a lengthy wait since 1945/46 and 1953/54 when Lille won two of their three Ligue 1 titles. It was in 2010/11 that Les Dogues once again conquered France, ten years after returning to the top flight. During the same season, Lille won their sixth – and to this date final – Coupe de France title. As far as the international successes go, Lille won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2004.
The Great Danes play their home matches at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The venue can take 50,000 people and it’s been the home of Lille since 2012, having replaced the club’s previous home – Stade Lille-Metropole.
Saint-Etienne betting
Saint-Etienne Odds
The 2019/20 season marks an important milestone for Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne Loire. The Greens, as Saint-Etienne are universally known across France, are playing their 100th professional season since the club’s creation in 1919.
Heading forward as a century-old football club, Saint-Etienne are eager to build upon the 4th-place finish from last year. Clinching a top-three place and a ticket for Europe during their anniversary campaign would be the best possible gift for the fans. As things stand, Saint-Etienne are looking at long 19.00 betting odds to make one step forward and get into the top three.
Saint-Etienne Key Players
Centre-back William Saliba is the man to keep an eye on during the 2019/20 campaign. The 18-year-old defender put in a string of brilliant performances last year which ended up turning the head of Arsenal. The Premier League club forked out €25 million to secure his services but Saliba remained at Saint-Etienne as a loaned player for the season.
The Greens had a couple of key players leave the club during the summer transfer window. Remy Cabella moved to Real Betis, Neven Subotic joined Union Berlin, whereas Pierre-Yves Polomat signed for Genclerbirligi.
On the other side, the club made modest investments with reinforcing the squad. Ryad Boudebouz arrived from Real Betis, while the talented right-back Sergi Palensa came on the back of a €2 million transfer from Barcelona.
Denis Bouanga, the summer arrival from Nimes Olympique, will be the one to watch. The flamboyant Gabon international will be expected to provide goals as well take part in the overall playmaking process.
Saint-Etienne Rivalry
The Greens have a long-standing rivalry with FC Nantes. As two of the most successful clubs in France, with a combined tally of 18 league titles between them, Saint-Etienne and Nantes are historical rivals vying fierce battles since 1932.
These two clubs dominated the French top-flight football during the ‘60s and ‘70s and matches between them were highly regarded as the most important dates in the football calendar. Saint-Etienne and Nantes were credited with creating the first two modern football academies – different in style and approach to the game.
Having further established two specific football identities, Saint-Etienne and Nantes deepened their rivalry, taking it to a whole new level. Nowadays, however, with a slight decline in the power of both clubs, matches between these two are not regarded as proper derbies. Nevertheless, they still generate plenty of attention and interest from both sets of supporters.
Apart from Nantes, Saint-Etienne also consider Olympique Lyonnais as one of their main rivals. These two clubs contest the Derby Rhone-Alpes, a local derby match which also attracts plenty of attention in the French football community.
Saint-Etienne History
Founded by employees of the locally-based grocery store chain called Groupe Casino a century ago, Saint-Etienne were initially referred to as Amicale des Employes de la Societe des Magasins Casino (ASC). The club dropped the word ‘casino’ in 1920, under the prohibition of trademark use by the French Football Federation (FFF).
Saint-Etienne have ten Ligue 1 titles under their belt, whereas they also won three Ligue 2 trophies, the most recent of which came in 2003/04. The Greens also won six Coupe de France medals. Their traditional colour is green. They play their home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard which is also known as The Green Hell.
Stade Reims betting
Stade Reims Odds
The Reds and Whites from Reims are coming off from what can be considered a successful season. As a club returning to the top tier of French football following a season in Ligue 2, Stade Reims made a real statement of intent by finishing 8th during the Ligue 1 2018/19 campaign.
Heading into the 2019/20, Stade Reims have a new mission. Their main aim will be to establish themselves as regular top-tier outlet once again. The eighth-place finish set the bar high last term and the Reds and Whites will have a lot of proving to do. Those of you believing Stade Reims could achieve a successive top-half finish will find the best betting odds for this market at William Hill.
Stade Reims Key Players
The club went slightly under the radar during the summer transfer window to bolster their ranks with a string of talented youngsters. One such is the 23-year-old Serbian international goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic who was brought from Maccabi Tel Aviv. The FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Glove from 2015 and a U-20 World Cup Winner, Rajkovic can be considered quite a coup. The talented custodian took a slow rise to prominence and will relish the chance to prove his worth in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Moreover, Stade Reims also brought a 19-year-old centre-back Dario Maresic, a 21-year-old midfielder Dereck Kutesa and a 23-year-old defensive midfielder Marshall Munetsi. Anastasios Donis, a 23-year-old forward arrived from Stuttgart to complete the list of promising players Stade Reims will expect a lot from this season.
Assisting Donis upfront will be Boulaye Dia, who is ready to take centre stage following his maiden season with the club, during which he scored mere 4 goals in all competitions. The 23-year-old is another young face in the squad and will be keen to make a name for himself in Reims.
Stade Reims Rivalry
Stade Reims are not exactly known as a club with notable rivalries. Not with teams from Ligue 1 at least. However, Stade Reims are involved in what’s referred to as the Derby du Champagne-Ardenne. It’s a three-club rivalry which involves CS Sedan Ardennes, Troyes AC and Stade Reims as the most prominent club of the three.
Champagne-Ardenne is an area located in the northeast of France. It was an administrative region which today remains known for its white wine. When it comes to football, however, the Derby du Champagne-Ardenne is a low-key local rivalry which is not in the same category as nationwide derby matches, such as Le Classique for example.
Stade Reims History
With six Ligue 1 titles in their trophy cabinet, Stade Reims are widely considered one of France’s most successful clubs. The Red and Whites also have two Coupe de France titles and five Trophee des Champions trophies.
Stade Reims are perceived as a legendary football club in France. Such an esteemed reputation was earned during the 1940s and 1950s when Stade Reims provided for the French football’s golden age with some of the most notable names at the time such as Just Fontaine or Raymond Copa, to name but a few. Moreover, Reims was the site of the crowning of the French Kings, which is a historical fact which gives this city a prominent status in French folklore.
Stade Reims are a far cry from the club they once were but the glowing reputation remains and so does the nationwide respect towards this club.
Rennes betting
Rennes Odds
Often called Rennes, which is the name of the city Stade Rennais is based in, the Red and Blacks have become somewhat of a mid-table club in the top tier of French football. Never have they managed to go higher than 4th place in the standings and the 10th-place finish from the 2018/19 season is far from a surprise. However, their Coupe de France success shed great light on an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Over the last ten years, Rennes would float around the mid-point of the table. The 5th spot from 2017/18 is the best position they claimed during the past decade. With competition in Ligue 1 appearing to be stronger than ever, expecting Rennes to break into the top-three in the league would be a foolish thing to do.
Rennes Key Players
Rennes parted ways with no less than 16 players during the summer transfer window. Ismaila Sarr leaving for Watford was arguably the most notable departure, leaving the club short of options on right-wing. The 21-year-old enjoyed a sensational spell at the club and the fact Hornets splashed €30 million for his signature can hardly come as a surprise.
In a bid to bolster their ranks, the board did well to bring the Brazilian Raphinha from Sporting CP. The 22-year-old arrived as a direct replacement for Sarr, while the club also reinforced their attacking options with M’Baye Niang. The former Watford, Milan and Torino forward is only 24 and has a lot of offer. He has never quite managed to prove his true worth and will be expected to finally step up the plate this year.
Flavien Tait, Jonas Martin and Metehan Guclu are other players supporters will be excited to see in action this term. Former Olympique Lyon winger Romain Castillo will also be the player to keep an eye on.
Rennes Rivalry
As one of the top clubs from the French province of Brittany, Stade Reinnais contest Nantes in the Derby de la Bretagne. Also known as the Derby Breton, this match is historically contested between these two clubs even though it may refer to matches involving FC Lorient, Guingamp and Stade Brestois.
Stade Rennais and Nantes first went head-to-head in 1963. The Derby de la Bretagne would often decide which of the two clubs deserves to be called the ‘real capital of Brittany’. During the Derby Breton, both sets of supporters will proudly display symbols advocating their Breton identity.
Celtic symbols are displayed by Rennes fans while Nantes supporters will flaunt the Bretagne primary colours – yellow and green – portrayed on flags displayed during these games.
Rennes History
Rennes were founded in 1901. As one of the members of the 100-year club, Stade Rennais are also one of the founding members of the first division of French football. With no Ligue 1 titles to their name, Rennes have yet to experience the league glory. However, they did win Ligue 2 on two different occasions and won three Coupe de France titles, last of which came in the 2018/19 campaign.
Rennes put in a remarkable display to beat four-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Their third Coupe de France title was also their first piece of domestic silverware since 1971.
Nice betting
Nice Odds
The Eaglets from the French Riviera missed out on European football by long a long distance in 2018/19 season. OGC Nice were ten points short from reaching the fourth place and we do not exactly expect them to challenge for Europa League and Champions League in 2019/20.
Nice struggled with replicating their third-place finish from 2016/17 over the past two terms, despite the fact they did great during the summer transfer market. The Eaglets went through a lot of changes during the past couple of years and with competition in the French top tier stronger than ever, they will have hard time soaring up to European places.
Nice Key Players
The summer behind us brought several changes in OGC Nice’s squad. Allan Saint-Maximin was arguably the most notable departure. The Left winger moved to Newcastle in a deal worth €18 million. Moreover, the club ended up parting ways with left-backs Olivier Boscagli and Romain Perraud, whereas the likes of Mickael le Bihan, Vincent Marcel and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga left the Eaglets deprived of firepower upfront.
Former Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg can be considered a wise investment by the French side. The 21-year-old Denmark international is a highly-rated centre-forward who will be expected to lead the line forward with goals. Dolberg bagged 11 league goals in his last season with the Dutch club and Nice supporters will at least expect him to match the numbers from the 2018/19 campaign. The club invested in bringing a direct replacement for Saint-Maximin as well. Alexis Claude-Maurice was brought from FC Lorient, while Stanley Nsoki from PSG and Riza Durmisi from Lazio will be expected to solve the shortage at left-back.
Nice Rivalry
Nice’s main rival in French football is AS Monaco. The two clubs contest what’s universally referred to as the Derby de la Cote d’Azur. The name is derived from the fact both clubs are located on the French Riviera.
As two cities separated by 20 kilometres, Nice and Monaco developed a geographical rivalry which has been fuelled during the early 200s when both clubs enjoyed successful years in the top flight. The rivalry between these two clubs is fiercely supported and would often result in off-field drama and violence.
Nice History
OGC Nice is one of the founding clubs of the French football’s first division. The club itself was founded in 1904 under the name of Gymnaste Club de Nice. Later on in 1924, the club adopted the new name and changed it into Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice.
Nice went back and forth between the first two divisions of the French football for most of its existence. The club won the total of four Ligue 1 titles, last of which came during the 1958/59 season. Coincidently, the club boasts the same number of Ligue 2 trophies.
As three-time Coupe de France winners, OGC Nice got back to prominence in 2016 when a Chinese-American consortium purchased 80% of the club. Heavy investments resulted in Nice finishing the 2016/17 season in third place and got in the Champions League. However, the consortium sold the club in 2019 and Nice are once again in a transition period which may bring certain instabilities and affect the results in the new season.
Strasbourg betting
Strasbourg Odds
Le Racing will be hoping times of turbulence and instability are gone as they head into the 2019/20 campaign. Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace kick off their third term back in the Ligue 1 following seven successive seasons spent in lower departments of the French Football.
Three promotions in four years brought Le Racing back to the elite rank and that’s exactly where they want to remain. The 15th-place finish from 2017/18 saw Strasbourg avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth but the 11th place from last campaign was a clear sign of improvement. Therefore, a mid-table finish would definitely be considered a success once again in 2019/20.
Strasbourg Key Players
RC Strasbourg are not in a position to parry the more financially stable clubs from Ligue 1. They are, however, doing their best to work with what they’ve got and summer transfer window was a great opportunity to gain some funds and reinvest the squad.
Central midfielder Jonas Martin was the most notable summer departure. Defenders Pablo Martinez and Yoann Salmier will also be missed but the club did well to bring direct replacements. Former Sunderland defender Lamine Kone will be expected to take the matters in his own hands in defence together with Alexander Djiku. Midfielders Sanjin Prcic from Levante and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde from Lens will be tasked with providing for Ludovic Ajorque upfield. The 25-year-old forward joined two years ago from Clermont Foot and 2019/20 could be his year to shine in the top flight.
Strasbourg Rivalry
Le Racing are a club without prominent rivalries in the top-flight. They have been going in and out of Ligue 1 for most of their existence and are not considered a top club in France. Therefore, none of the major French sides such as PSG, Lyon or Lille consider them rivals.
The Derby de l’Est between FC Metz and RC Strasbourg is the only Ligue 1 rivalry Le Racing are part of. Both clubs are situated in eastern France and hence the geographical connection in terms of football. Matches between Metz and Strasbourg generate plenty of attention, locally, but are far off from being of the same stature as other most prominent rivalries.
Moreover, when it comes to more local animosities, Vauban Strasbourg could be considered a rival. Matches with the Championnat National 3 do not occur that often and have no emotional importance for RC Strasbourg fans.
Strasbourg History
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace was founded in 1906. Despite its long history, Strasbourg never quite managed to establish itself as one of France’s leading football clubs. Interestingly enough, despite being one six French clubs to have won all three major trophies in the country – league title, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue – Strasbourg would get relegated once every ten years since the 1950s.
Historically speaking, the club has had a troublesome history. It changed nationality three times – much like the region of Alsace – and even went through total liquidation, in 2011. The FFF decided to reinstate the club into the fifth division of French football and Strasbourg’s rise back to prominence began. Today, RC Strasbourg are in search of stability and will be determined to put the problematic past behind them.
Monaco betting
Monaco Odds
The Principality Club has experienced a stint of uncertainty and drama in 2018/19. AS Monaco avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth – on the final day of the campaign. What started as a year full of hope yet again turned into a relegation battle and Monaco fans will be careful what they wish for ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Ever since returning to Ligue 1 in 2013, AS Monaco would go on to finish in the top three each year. The pinnacle of their money-fuelled rise came in 2017 when Monaco scooped the title and reached the Champions League semi-final. Powered by a fledgling figure of Kylian Mbappe as well as Bernardo Silva, AS Monaco brought plenty of hope and optimism which, sadly, no longer reside at the French Riviera. After all, betting odds of 24.00 for Monaco to achieve the top-three status paint a picture many supporters will not be very fond of.
Monaco Key Players
The Principality Club went through a transformation during the summer transfer window. Youri Tielemans ended up being sold to Leicester City, while several other high-profile stars also left Monaco for good.
Winger Rony Lopes went to Sevilla, right-back Djibril Sidibe was loaned to Everton, while the Colombian forward Falcao left on a free transfer. In the meantime, Leonardo Jardim – who returned to the club in January – brought a couple of notable reinforcements.
Former Sevilla forward Wissam Ben Yedder came to replace Falcao upfield, while Gelson Martins is here to provide plenty of spark to the right wing. Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko joined Monaco in a loan deal, while Guillermo Maripan and one of France’s most talented goalkeepers Benjamin Lecomte are also the new arrivals.
Wissam Ben Yedder and Islam Slimani will both be in charge of supplying goals in 2019/20, while all eyes will also be on Keita Balde who is expected to have a big season in Monaco.
Monaco Rivalry
OGC Nice are AS Monaco’s main rivals. The two clubs situated in the French Riviera contest what’s universally known as the Derby de la Cote d’Azur. Their rivalry is manly a geographical one knowing that two clubs are only 20 kilometres apart.
However, the animosity between the two sets of supporters grew over the past couple of years with Monaco’s stellar rise back to prominence in France. With financial investments pushing the Principality Club back on domestic and international radar alike, the rivalry intensified and would still bring plenty of drama – violence even.
The Derby de la Cote d’Azur may also refer to the games which involve AS Cannes. However, with this club currently competing in lower ranks of French football, the derby is mainly contested between Monaco and Nice.
Monaco History
With eight Ligue 1 titles and five Coupe de France trophies to their name, AS Monaco are one of the most successful clubs in France. Founded in 1924 under the name of Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club, The Red and Whites achieved notable success in international circles, reaching the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Champions League finals in 1992 and 2004, respectively.
AS Monaco won their first professional trophy in 1960 and enjoyed great success domestically up until 1986. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the club was reinvigorated under legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Jean Tigana and Claude Puel.
The 2000s saw AS Monaco go through great turbulence up until the point when the club were sold to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2011. Under his sponsorship, the Principality Club quickly returned under the spotlight – and back to Ligue 1 – winning it in 2016/17 for the first time in 17 years.
Brest betting
Brest Odds
The first year back in the top flight is special for any team and Stade Brest will not be an exemption to the rule. The Pirate Team, as Stade Brest are universally called in France, secured their fifth-ever season in Ligue 1 after finishing second in Ligue 2 during the 2018/19 campaign.
Having spent six long years in the second division of French football, Brest will be eager to keep their elite status for longer than a single season. They spent three straight seasons in Ligue 1 from 2010 to 2013 in their previous top-flight stint. Brest had never suffered immediate relegation and if that’s anything to go by, you would be well advised to use Bet365 betting odds on Brest staying up at the end of the season.
Brest Key Players
As a relatively small football club, Brest haven’t got the financial power of other Ligue 1 clubs. The Pirate Team faired with modesty in the summer transfer market, boosting their squad with a couple of loan deals and bringing free agents mainly.
However, they ended up splashing a notable €7.5 million on four players who will be expected to make a big difference on the pitch. Ibrahima Diallo is a defensive midfielder who arrived from Monaco and is arguably the most notable signing for Brest. Centre-back Jean-Kevin Duverne joined from Lens, while another defender – Romain Perraud – was brought from Nice.
Centre-forward Irvin Cordona of Monaco will be expected to provide goals, while the 25-year-old free agent Alexandre Mendy will be helping him in that department.
Brest Rivalry
Brest is the city located in the furthest west of all 13 French regions. Brittany is a historic region where Derby Breton matches are contested among a couple of different clubs located in the area.
Stade Rennes and FC Nantes are the two most notable rivals from the region. However, the Derby Breton usually includes Guingamp, Lorient as well as Stade Brest. Moreover, the minnows such as Quimper, Vannes OC or US Siant-Malo are also involved in this local rivalry.
Brest History
The club was founded in 1950. The full name reads Stade Brestois 29 but Brest are also knows as The Pirate Team or Our Winds. Brest is a city located in a sheltered bay off the tip of France which makes the club’s nicknames much easier to understand.
Brest are not among the most established football clubs in France. Brest have got only 14 top-flight seasons under their belt while they spent most of their existence fighting through the lower echelons of French football.
The Pirate Club’s favourite colour is red and they play their home matches at the Stade Francis-Le Ble. This multi-use venue can fit 15,000 spectators and is named after a famous mayor of Brest who died in 1982.
Amiens betting
Amiens Odds
The Unicorns, as people call Amiens in France, have been going through a gradual downfall in the Ligue 1 over the past three seasons. The Les Licornes earned historic promotion to the top flight in 2016/17 and went on to record a respectable 13th-place finish in the subsequent season.
They went two steps back in their second season, finishing 15th with still a comfortable place in the standings. The club seems to be losing steam, however, and if any pattern is to be recognized based on Amiens’ records over the past two years, the Unicorns could easily be in for a relegation fight during the 2019/20 campaign.
The French league is getting more competitive each year and smaller sides such as Amines face a losing battle against the financially dominant clubs. Surviving the cut will be their top priority this year but the early betting predictions are bleak.
Amiens Key Players
Gael Kakuta and Christophe Jallet are the most notable names in the squad. The 28-year-old Kakuta spent seven years on Chelsea’s book despite only making 6 first-team appearances for the London-based club. Between 2009 and 2015, the French winger plied his trade on loans at Fulham, Bolton, Dijon, Vitesse and Lazio, before securing a permanent move to Sevilla. A former French youth international has widely struggled to nail a starting status at any club he’s played for. He joined Amines in 2019 and will be hoping to make a significant contribution for one of France’s minnows.
As for the 36-year-old right-back Jallet, he joined Amiens following a two-season stint with Nice. The former French international will be expected to bring plenty of experience to Amiens’ backline. Together with Emil Krafth on the right-back, Jallet will hope to form a respectable defence wall outside Regis Gurtner’s goal.
Amiens signed no less than 15 new players during the summer transfer window and will need some time to complete the first-team puzzle. Time is a rare commodity in modern football and the Unicorns will need to put all the pieces together quickly if they are to survive in Ligue 1.
Amiens Rivalry
Still consider a newcomer in Ligue 1, Amiens do not exactly have a rival side in the top flight. They have yet to forge a rivalry at the top level. Moreover, they are widely considered an amicable side, universally admired for its efforts and a remarkable story behind its most recent rise to Ligue 1.
The Unicorns are enjoying their first-ever stint in the top-flight and have yet to find their nemesis. If there is one club that could be identified as a rival for Amines, it will be ESTAC Troyes. The two clubs vied fierce battles in Ligue 2 but Amines currently holds an upper hand of the former Intertoto Cup winners (2001) as they are the only ones holding the Ligue 1 torch at the moment.
Amiens History
Amiens Sporting Club was founded in 1901. The Unicorns have never won a major trophy and are not exactly among the most notable football clubs in France. They are, nevertheless, a fascinating side. Their stellar rise to Ligue 1 was well documented in French football history books.
The club finished third in the French third division in 2015/16 to jump up to Ligue 2, while managing to secure their second successive promotion a year later – finishing as runners-up. Their almost vertical rise to prominence will always be remembered and cherished by their fans, which tend to flock the Stade de la Licorne week in and week out.
Metz betting
Metz Odds
The Maroons, as people like to call Metz in France, are heading into the 2019/20 season as Ligue 2 champions. The club fought its way back into Ligue 1 after only one season spent in the second tier of the French football and will, as a result, be keen to defend its status in the elite competition.
However, Metz are looking to avoid what would be their third relegation in the last six years and manager Vincent Hongon is facing a proper challenge. The Ligue 1 competition seems bigger than ever and staying up will prove to be quite difficult for the club from a cultural and historical region of Lorraine.
Metz Key Players
Metz centre-forward Habib Diallo is the man to keep a close eye on during the 2019/20 campaign. Diallo bagged 26 goals in the French second division last term and led Metz to promotion back into the Ligue 1. A few Premier League clubs have already taken notice of his emerging talents but Metz managed to fight off the interest for the 24-year-old. Diallo’s fantastic form earned him a place in the Senegalese national team where he would hope to play alongside and learn from Sadio Mane, who kicked off his professional career at Metz.
Metz made several moves in the transfer market last summer. The supporters will relish a chance to see Adama Traore and Thierry Ambrose in action this season. The central midfielder and centre-forward arrived on loan from Monaco and Manchester City, respectively, in search of regular first-team football and could be given a chance to shine.
Metz Rivalry
RC Strasbourg are Metz’s main rivals. These two club contest what’s universally referred to as the Derby de l’Est. It is a geographical rivalry between the two clubs located in the eastern part of the country. However, it is not exactly considered one of the most prominent rivalries in French football.
If we were to zoom into a narrower geographical zone, Metz have another local rival – Nancy. As the two major clubs located in the historic region of Lorraine, Metz and Nancy would vie great battles in Ligue 2. With Metz now competing in Ligue 1, it could be a while before the fans on both ends get a chance to enjoy in what’s universally known as the Derby Lorrain.
Metz History
The Maroons were founded in 1932. However, the club’s roots trace back to 1905 when the city of Metz was part of the German Empire. FC Metz were then known as the SpVgg Metz, playing in the Westkreis-Liga before the First World War outbreak.
As one of the oldest football clubs in France, Metz are also recognized for their successful youth academy. A long list of prominent, world-class football stars made their first steps at Metz. The list includes the likes of Robert Pires, Louis Saha, Miralem Pjanic and aforementioned Sadio Mane, to name but a few.
Despite their rich history, Metz have yet to win the French championship. They did come agonizingly close to lifting the titles, though, as they finished as runners-up during the 1997/98. The four-time Ligue 2 winners have two Coupe de France titles in their trophy cabinet, alongside two Coupe de la Ligue medals.
Dijon betting
Dijon Odds
Les Moutardes, as Dijon are known in France, went through a lot of trouble to preserve their Ligue 1 status in 2018/19. The Mustards finished the regular part of the season in 18th place in the standings and were forced to fight through the relegation play-offs to remain in the French top-tier.
One of the youngest professional clubs in France managed to beat Lens 4-2 on aggregate and will be extremely motivated to avoid any relegation drama heading into the 2019/20 campaign. Such an aim will be easier said than done, however. The betting odds of 3.60 make Dijon the third favourite to suffer relegation this year, with only Toulouse and Metz given worse chances of survival than the Mustards.
And after four years of battling it out in the top tier, the club founded in 1998 after a merger of two Dijon-based sides could be all but set for a move back into the Ligue 2.
Dijon Key Players
A players’ exodus is hard to avoid when you are a struggling side. Dijon suffered a similar fate during the summer transfer window of 2019 when one of their key performers from last season, Wesley Said, left the club. The right winger moved to Toulouse, while Dijon also parted ways with Naim Sliti as their second most notable player. Said and Sliti scored a combined tally of 7 goals in Ligue 1 during the 2018/19 season. With 5 assists to his name, Sliti was the team’s best assistant.
On the positive note, Dijon supporters will be glad Julio Tavares remained at the club. The experienced 31-year-old centre-forward bagged 5 goals and provided further 4 for his teammates last term. The Cape Verde finisher was rewarded with a captain’s armband for his last season’s exploits and will be the man to watch in the new campaign.
Moreover, Dijon were fairly active during the summer and all eyes will also be on midfielder Didier Ndong and right winger Mama Balde, who joined from Guingamp and Sporting, respectively.
Dijon Rivalry
As things stand, Dijon haven’t exactly got a football rival in the top tier of French football. Being a relatively young club with a short history in Ligue 1, Dijon have yet to forge notable adversaries. However, AJ Auxerre from Ligue 2 are worth mentioning as Dijon’s local rivals.
The two clubs contest what’s universally called the Derby de Bourgogne. Additionally, this derby might also include a third side from the Burgundy region – FC Gueugnon. This club is currently sitting deep in the third level of French football and is not exactly a notable rival for either of the two clubs.
Dijon History
Historically speaking, Dijon was first founded in 1913 when the football section of Dijon Secular Club was formed. However, the city of Dijon struggled to promote a side that would bring both city and region to the football map of France.
It was in 1998 when Dijon FC merged with Cercle Sportif Laique Dijonnais in an effort to provide the city with a single football entity. Originally called Dijon Football Cote-d’Or (DFCO), the new club reached Ligue 2 in 2004 and joined the top-tier of French football in 2011 for the first time in their history. Their Ligue 1 spell was short-lived as Dijon returned to Ligue 2 the very next year.
However, after four years back in the second division, Dijon were promoted back to Ligue 1 in 2016 where they intend to remain as long as possible, despite the odds speaking against them.
Nimes betting
Nimes Odds
Universally known as The Crocodiles, Nimes Olympique head into their second successive season in Ligue 1. They reached the top flight of French football after finishing second in Ligue 2 during the 2017/18 campaign and did remarkably well to finish ninth in 2018/19.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Nimes-based minnows will be able to resist falling a victim to the second season syndrome. Having performed above expectations in their first Ligue 1 season, The Crocodiles will be under immense pressure. The betting odds in the region of 1.44 do not offer great promise in Nimes’ relegation fight.
Nimes Key Players
The Crocodiles are the club based in southern France. Located neatly between the Mediterranean Sea and Cevennes mountains, Nimes has a regional rivalry with Toulouse. The proximity of two cities fuelled a long-standing rivalry between the two clubs which is universally referred to as the Derby du Languedoc. Also known as the Derby de l’Herault, this rivalry has been reignited with Nimes returning to the top flight of French football. Nimes matches generate plenty of attention from a supporter’s point of view. Their most affectionate and loyal fans are known as the Gladiators. The name refers to the club’s rich history which dates back to the Roman Empire.
Nimes Rivalry
The Crocodiles are the club based in southern France. Located neatly between the Mediterranean Sea and Cevennes mountains, Nimes has a regional rivalry with Toulouse. The proximity of two cities fuelled a long-standing rivalry between the two clubs which is universally referred to as the Derby du Languedoc. Also known as the Derby de l’Herault, this rivalry has been reignited with Nimes returning to the top flight of French football. Nimes matches generate plenty of attention from a supporter’s point of view. Their most affectionate and loyal fans are known as the Gladiators. The name refers to the club’s rich history which dates back to the Roman Empire.
Nimes History
The Crocodiles were founded in 1901 under the name of Sporting Club Nimois (SCN). The club was originally intended for young Protestants only but grew into a wider football organisation following World War I. It was in April 1922 that SCN united with another Nimes-based side – F.A. Nimois. Despite their initial success which saw the club win a place in the highest championship of French football at the time – Division d’Honneur – Nimes suffered dire financial problems and abandoned all activities in 1937.
SCN ceased to exist and the club then moved to the district of Lozere-Gard, when a local businessman restructured the club under the name it uses today – Nimes Olympique. Nimes play their home matches at Stade des Costieres in front of 18,480 people. Before the kick-off of every home game, an extract of George Bizet’s opera Carmen is played which is an interesting and unusual detail for a football club.
Toulouse betting
Toulouse Odds
The last couple of years have been rather difficult for Toulouse. The Kids finished the 2018/19 season in 16th place, barely avoiding the relegation playoffs. Though widely disappointing, such a result could be even considered a step forward compared to 2017/18 when Toulouse had to go through a two-legged battle against Ajaccio to preserve their top-flight status.
Unfortunately, the Kids failed to learn from the hardship and made little improvements going further. The ongoing struggles are not expected to go away that easily knowing that Ligue 1 competition is growing exponentially. Major betting websites are not giving Toulouse much chance of staying up following successive seasons of struggle. The Kids are standing at 1.44 betting odds to be relegated at the end of 2019/20 which makes them the biggest favourites for the drop.
Toulouse Key Players
Max Gradel was a rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing side in 2018/19. The experienced left-winger scored 11 goals and further provided 8 assists in his first season at the club after joining from Bournemouth. Such an impressive tally made Gradel the most valuable player at the club and he will once again be the man to keep an eye on.
Toulouse lost a couple of important players during the summer transfer window but the board worked hard to find adequate replacements. The supporters will be keen to see Wesley Said in action after his €8 million transfer from Dijon. Efthymios Kouloris, Jean Victor-Makengo, Augustin Rogel and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin are other summer arrivals the fans will hope can raise the bar at Toulouse and help the club avoid relegation this year.
Toulouse Rivalry
The Derby de la Garonne is the match Toulouse supporters anticipate the most. This game is contested between Bordeaux and Toulouse, two clubs from two cities located along the Garonne River. The two cities are only 244 kilometres apart and their proximity fuelled the rivalry which was first ignited in 1946.
During the course of French football’s history, this particular rivalry went through different stages. The animosity went completely dormant following Toulouse’s administrative relegation to the Championnat National. However, it was in 2001 that the Derby de la Garonne got back under the spotlight with Toulouse returning to Ligue 1.
Toulouse History
The current incarnation of Toulouse FC came to life in 1970. It was not until 1982 that Toulouse reached the top flight of the French football, however. Les Pitchouns, as people call Toulouse in France, bounced back and forth between the top two divisions for the majority of their early existence, all the way until 2001 when the club slipped down to the third tier of competition due to financial problems.
Two seasons later, Toulouse got back on their feet and slowly rose to prominence capped by their memorable 2007 season. Toulouse finished third and booked their place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Toulouse are not among the most notable French sides. They have yet to win a single Ligue 1 trophy and it seems as if their fans could be in for a long wait before their club lifts any trophy. Les Pitchouns only have two pieces of silverware in their trophy cabinet – two Ligue 2 titles from 1982 and 2003.
France Ligue 1 Results
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 10/11/2019
- Olympique Marseille - Olympique Lyonnais
- (2:0)
- 2:1
- 2.70 William Hill
- 3.50 bet365
- 3.05 Unibet
- 09/11/2019
- Brest - PSG
- (0:1)
- 1:2
- 15.00 William Hill
- 7.00 William Hill
- 1.26 Unibet
- 09/11/2019
- Reims - Angers SCO
- (0:0)
- 0:0
- 2.70 Betsson
- 3.10 William Hill
- 3.60 William Hill
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 01/11/2019
- Dijon - PSG
- (1:1)
- 2:1
- 17.00 William Hill
- 7.00 William Hill
- 1.22 bwin
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 26/10/2019
- Olympique Lyonnais - Metz
- (2:0)
- 2:0
- 1.45 Bet-At-Home
- 4.65 Betsson
- 8.00 William Hill
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 28/09/2019
- Bordeaux - PSG
- (0:0)
- 0:1
- 8.00 William Hill
- 5.00 bwin
- 1.49 Bet-At-Home
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 25/09/2019
- PSG - Reims
- (0:1)
- 0:2
- 1.30 Ladbrokes
- 7.00 William Hill
- 17.00 William Hill
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 01/09/2019
- Reims - Lille
- (0:0)
- 2:0
- 3.00 bet365
- 3.00 William Hill
- 2.75 William Hill
- 30/08/2019
- Metz - PSG
- (0:2)
- 0:2
- 8.50 William Hill
- 4.75 William Hill
- 1.53 Ladbrokes
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 18/08/2019
- Reims - Strasbourg
- (0:0)
- 0:0
- 2.06 Betsson
- 3.40 Marathonbet
- 4.25 Marathonbet
- 18/08/2019
- Rennes - PSG
- (1:1)
- 2:1
- 9.00 William Hill
- 5.75 Marathonbet
- 1.39 Marathonbet
- 17/08/2019
- Nantes - Olympique Marseille
- (0:0)
- 0:0
- 2.71 Marathonbet
- 3.42 Marathonbet
- 3.00 BetVictor
- 17/08/2019
- Metz - Monaco
- (1:0)
- 3:0
- 3.02 Marathonbet
- 3.28 Marathonbet
- 2.63 Skybet
- 17/08/2019
- Toulouse - Dijon
- (0:0)
- 1:0
- 2.10 bet365
- 3.64 Marathonbet
- 4.05 Marathonbet
- 17/08/2019
- Amiens SC - Lille
- (0:0)
- 1:0
- 3.40 bet365
- 3.24 Marathonbet
- 2.42 Marathonbet
- 16/08/2019
- Olympique Lyonnais - Angers SCO
- (3:0)
- 6:0
- 1.48 Marathonbet
- 5.05 Marathonbet
- 8.10 Marathonbet
France Ligue 1 Results
- Date
- match
- HT
- FT
- 1
- x
- 2
- 11/08/2019
- Strasbourg - Metz
- (1:0)
- 1:1
- 2.09 Marathonbet
- 3.28 Marathonbet
- 4.15 Marathonbet
- 11/08/2019
- Lille - Nantes
- (1:0)
- 2:1
- 1.99 Marathonbet
- 3.30 bet365
- 4.65 Marathonbet
- 10/08/2019
- Olympique Marseille - Reims
- (0:0)
- 0:2
- 1.69 Marathonbet
- 3.80 Marathonbet
- 6.00 bet365
- 10/08/2019
- Dijon - Saint-Étienne
- (1:2)
- 1:2
- 4.00 bet365
- 3.44 Marathonbet
- 2.15 Marathonbet
- 10/08/2019
- Nice - Amiens SC
- (1:0)
- 2:1
- 2.22 Marathonbet
- 3.02 Marathonbet
- 4.10 Marathonbet
- 10/08/2019
- Montpellier - Rennes
- (0:1)
- 0:1
- 2.33 Marathonbet
- 3.35 Marathonbet
- 3.50 bet365
- 10/08/2019
- Angers SCO - Bordeaux
- (3:1)
- 3:1
- 2.38 Marathonbet
- 3.18 Marathonbet
- 3.44 Marathonbet
- 10/08/2019
- Brest - Toulouse
- (1:0)
- 1:1
- 2.46 Marathonbet
- 3.42 Marathonbet
- 3.10 bet365