France Ligue 1 Relegation Odds: Caen Even-Money to Avoid the Drop

• Dijon favorites for the drop ahead of final round
• Caen even-money for Ligue 1 relegation
• Amiens almost safe

As the French soccer season reaches its conclusion, most of the placings have been sorted, but yet to be decided is which two or three teams will be relegated to Ligue 2. For the first time, the teams that finish in 18th place in Ligue 1 and third in Ligue 2 will play-off over two legs for the final place in next season’s Ligue 1.

France Ligue 1 Relegation Odds

*Odds taken May 22, 2019

The table above shows that the odds heavily favor Dijon at -2000 to drop as they are currently in the automatic relegation position, with Caen who are currently in the ‘playoff’ position set at +1000. As things stand, Amiens are currently two points ahead of Caen and are on offer at +2000 .

Mathematically, Monaco is still in danger of being sucked into 18th place but their superior goal-difference means their place in next season’s Ligue 1 is almost assured.

Three-Way Battle

In reality, it boils down to a three-way scrap between Amiens, Caen and Dijon. So let’s look forward to Friday afternoon when all three play their final scheduled games of the season.

The first thing to say is that all three teams are at home, so in that regard, it’s an even playing field – the big question is who has, on paper, the easiest task.

Titulaire au Parc des Princes, @BalmontFlo a joué son 501e match en @Ligue1Conforama !

Il égale Didier Sénac et entre ainsi dans le Top 20 des joueurs ayant joué le plus de matchs dans l'élite !

Prochaine étape ➡️ 502 pour égaler Maxime Bossis et Albert Rust ! pic.twitter.com/6VFuKefQIp

— Dijon FCO (@DFCO_Officiel) May 19, 2019

Amiens Have It Easy on Paper

Well, in theory, that falls to Amiens, who entertain bottom-of-the-table and already-relegated Guingamp – a team that hasn’t won one of their last five games. Amiens problem is that they too are in an equally rotten run of form and themselves have drawn three and lost two of their last five games.

All of which adds up to a tricky evening at the Stade de la Licorne, with Guingamp being able to play with freedom and no pressure and who will no doubt revel in the role of party pooper.

C’est là que va s’écrire notre avenir. pic.twitter.com/dut8TIcENa

— Amiens SC (@AmiensSC) May 21, 2019

Tricky Task for Caen

For Caen, the task is, on paper, a little more tricky with 14th-placed Bordeaux the visitors to the Stade Michel d’Ornano. Though, a quick look at the most recent form guide shows that Les Girondins have now lost five games on the spin.

What for a long time looked to be a season in which they would finish in the top half of the table, has ended disastrously and they find themselves, albeit safe, just five points away from the relegation zone.

? @rollcourbis "On fait comme ci on avait perdu 1-0 chez les @girondins et que l'on doit renverser la situation chez nous." #SMCaen #SMCFCGB pic.twitter.com/8BHkzsKBkX

— Stade Malherbe Caen (@SMCaen) May 22, 2019

Interestingly, all five defeats have been by a single goal. So Caen will have to work hard for the win and this may not be as straightforward as the form guide suggests. But the fact they have won three games in their last five is a massive plus in their favor.

Dijon to Save Themselves?

For Dijon, the current incumbents for the automatic relegation spot, they’ll play 15th-placed Toulouse. A team who themselves have just avoided the end-of-season relegation melee. Ironically, Les Violets are another side who are in a horrible run of form, with (again) no wins from their last five. Dijon’s record of two wins from their last five gives them a definite chance here.

So much so, we strongly fancy Dijon to be the ones to dig themselves out of a hole with a win, albeit it may not be enough as we also expect Caen to at least get a draw.

Our pick: Dijon -2000