2019-20 French Ligue 1 Odds: Lyon Favored to Win Without PSG & Best Bets For Top 3 Finish

• PSG massive favorites for 2019/20 Ligue 1
• Books are offering odds ‘without PSG’
• Lille looking to build on a fine 2018/19

With the start of the new Ligue 1 season almost upon us – Monaco and Lyon kick off proceedings on August 9 at 2:45 pm EST – the big question is can anyone get even close to Paris Saint-Germain this season.

The Parisiens won last season’s Ligue 1 by a massive 16 points and have won the last six titles, so there is plenty of work to do for the rest to catch up.

Ligue 1 Odds

*Odds taken 08/01/19. 

While PSG are obviously massive favorites with average Ligue 1 odds of -830 overall, the odds for all teams have basically remained unchanged throughout the offseason. Lyon have average Ligue 1 odds of +930 but without PSG in the mix they are just +175 to win. So, we’ll have a look at the best bets to win ‘without PSG’ and also who we think will finish in the top three.

PSG Rule the Roost

Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance of French football has been absolute since the State of Qatar, via the Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), took ownership of the club seven years ago. The massive financial backing has given them a huge advantage over the rest of Ligue 1, with their biggest rival being the Financial Fair Play rules (FFP) rather than any on-field opponent.

PSG have accumulated a squad of world-class players but there are rumors that two of their superstars – Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – are looking to depart Paris this summer. The loss of one or both could have a significant impact on how 2019/20 goes for them, particularly in their ongoing quest to win the UEFA Champions League.

Even minus these two big names, we still expect PSG to win Ligue 1 but PSG have Europe’s biggest prize in their sights and minus Neymar and Mbappe this task becomes that much more difficult.

FULL TIME: What a way to end the season!
Olympique Lyonnais get third place in the 2018/19 campaign ?? #NOOL pic.twitter.com/SnOjK9T7Au

— OL English ?? (@OL_English) May 24, 2019

Lyon the Best of the Rest

In the odds listing, Lyon are considered the best of the rest, but it’s been a summer of change at the Groupama Stadium with some big names having departed and others rumored to be departing.

The end of the summer transfer window can’t come quick enough for Olympique as they struggle to retain their quality players. With Tanguy Ndombele having already moved to Tottenham and a big question mark over the future of Nabil Fekir, who has reportedly been offered a £30 million deal by Arsenal.

PSG have accumulated a squad of world-class players but there are rumors that two of their superstars – Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – are looking to depart Paris this summer.

Lyon’s recently appointed Director of Football Juninho has stated he wants Fekir to stay but Arsenal are clearly keen, so there’s still life in this deal, which would seriously hinder Lyon’s plans.

Tanguy Ndombele: How new signing has settled into Spurs' team @bobbyhogs20 pic.twitter.com/3KauPMHVU7

— yinbuzz (@YINBuzzz) July 26, 2019

PSG’s big rivals Marseille are third favorites with Monaco in fourth, and both are hoping to improve with some astute signings over the summer. But it’s a big gap between them and PSG, and their business so far suggests the gap will remain. Both are well placed for a pop at the top three though.

Lille Overachieving

Lille too are in a good place and it’s worth noting they had only two more defeats than PSG last season and finished a really impressive second-place. While PSG typically scored more goals (an extraordinary 105 compared to Lille’s 68), Lille actually conceded two fewer goals than the champions. Also, during the season Lille beat PSG 5-1, so while they may not have enough to close the gap, they have enough to make life uncomfortable for PSG if they can continue that momentum.

8 – Mathieu Debuchy ?? has scored eight goals in Ligue 1 since his arrival to St Etienne in January 2018, only Sergio Ramos ?? (10) has done better among defenders from the Top 5 European leagues in that spell. Trigger. pic.twitter.com/BVS28LROMv

— Optajean (@OptaJean) April 14, 2019

Nice and St. Etienne are also in the mix for top three but neither have significantly strengthened over the summer to date. PSG will not be in their sights, but Lille, Marseille and Monaco certainly will be for both if they start the season well.

So, on paper, it’s Lille who are best placed to top the ‘without PSG’ market and it will be fascinating to see if they are able to continue that great form. A 16-point gap is too big to make up, unless PSG get distracted by the Champions League, but they offer value to top that particular market, more so than Marseille who continue to flatter to deceive.

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to win Ligue 1 / Lille to win ‘without PSG’ / Top 3: First: PSG; Second: Lille; Third: Marseille