While Ligue 1 has established itself among Europe’s “Big Five” divisions, it’s often earned the unfair and derogatory “farmers' league” tag. It is an unfair accusation, as three of the best players in the world play in the division, and many more have achieved great things before seeking moves elsewhere. This article will take you through our expert Ligue 1 betting tips and the latest odds, as well as the most popular betting markets.
- Tournament Structure for the French Ligue 1
- Best Betting Sites We Recommend for Ligue 1 Betting
- Ligue 1 Betting Odds 2022/23 Season
- Ligue 1 Betting – 2022/23 Predictions
- 5 Reasons to Watch & Bet on the Ligue 1
- Players to Look Out for in Ligue 1 2022/23
- Ligue 1 2022/23 – Important Dates for This Season
- Popular Ligue 1 Betting Markets
- History of the French Ligue 1
- Ligue 1 Betting FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say:
Tournament Structure for the French Ligue 1
Ligue 1 comprises of 20 teams, each vying to become champions. There are 38 matches within a season, played between mid-August and the following May, allowing each club to play every other club twice: once at home and once away. However, this season will be the final year of the current system, with the league being truncated to 18 teams next term.
Three points are awarded for a victory, one point for a draw and nothing for a defeat. At the end of the season, the team in top slot are crowned the champions. The teams who finish in the top three all qualify for the following season’s Champions League, automatically boosting their revenue and giving them the chance to attract players from all over the continent. The team that finishes fourth enters the Europa League.
At the other end of the spectrum, there will be jolt of fear among sides due to the change in system for the 2023/24 season. As a result, four teams will be relegated from Ligue 1 this term, rather than the two automatic spots and the play-off game that was in place before. Teams situated in the bottom four places of the table will take the plunge to Ligue Two, while only two clubs will be promoted.
At the other end of the spectrum, those who finish in the bottom two are automatically relegated to the second tier, commonly known as Ligue 2. Meanwhile, the team that finishes 18th (third bottom), will compete in a two-legged playoff with Ligue 2’s third-placed team for a place in Ligue 1 the following season.
Ligue 1 outfits are given the chance to refresh their squads via the summer and winter transfer windows, with matches typically being played over the weekend. For those residing in the UK, the French top tier matches can be viewed on BT Sport.
France also has several domestic cups that accompany Ligue 1. The primary cup competition is the Coupe de France, although teams will also compete in the Coupe de la Ligue (League Cup). The winners of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France take part in the Trophée des Champions before the new season gets underway. This is, in essence, France’s answer to the Community Shield.
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Ligue 1 Betting Odds 2022/23 Season
The 85th Ligue 1 season kicked off on 5th August 2022, kicking off the 38 rounds of matches that will conclude the following year on 4th June 2023. The season finishes later than usual due to the 2022 World Cup that will be played through the middle stretch of the campaign in November and December. As a result, Ligue 1 will halt on the 13th November and will restart on 28th December.
Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 last season, and are expected to dominate again with new manager Christophe Galtier. However, Ligue 1 has proven to be unpredictable in the past, with talented teams ready to challenge PSG at the top.
Ligue 1 Winner Betting Odds 2022/23
Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
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PSG | 1/9 | bet365 |
Lyon | 16/1 | William Hill |
Marseille | 20/1 | bet365 |
Monaco | 25/1 | William Hill |
Rennes | 40/1 | Betfred |
Nice | 80/1 | bet365 |
Lille | 100/1 | William Hill |
Strasbourg | 250/1 | Betfred |
Lens | 250/1 | Betway |
Nantes | 500/1 | Betfred |
Montpellier | 500/1 | William Hill |
Toulouse | 1000/1 | bet365 |
Reims | 1000/1 | bet365 |
Angers | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Clermont Foot | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Auxerre | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Lorient | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Troyes | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Brest | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Ajaccio | 2000/1 | bet365 |
Ligue 1 Relegation Betting Odds 2022/23
Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
---|---|---|
Ajaccio | 8/15 | Betway |
Auxerre | 10/11 | Betway |
Troyes | 1/1 | Betway |
Clermont Foot | 1/1 | Betway |
Lorient | 6/4 | Betway |
Brest | 9/4 | Betway |
Angers | 5/2 | Betway |
Reims | 5/2 | Betway |
Montpellier | 5/2 | Betway |
Toulouse | 5/2 | Betway |
Nantes | 13/2 | Betway |
Strasbourg | 22/1 | Betway |
Lille | 22/1 | Betway |
Lens | 22/1 | Betway |
Nice | 33/1 | Betway |
Rennes | 100/1 | Betway |
Monaco | 100/1 | Betway |
Lyon | 150/1 | Betway |
Marseille | 150/1 | Betway |
PSG | 1000/1 | Betway |
Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer Betting Odds 2022/23
Player | Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
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Kylian Mbappe | PSG | 4/6 | William Hill |
Lionel Messi | PSG | 5/1 | William Hill |
Neymar | PSG | 6/1 | William Hill |
Wissam Ben Yedder | Monaco | 10/1 | William Hill |
Alexandre Lacazette | Lyon | 12/1 | William Hill |
Moussa Dembele | Lyon | 16/1 | William Hill |
Jonathan David | Lille | 25/1 | William Hill |
Breel Embolo | Monaco | 25/1 | William Hill |
Martin Terrier | Rennes | 25/1 | William Hill |
Andy Delort | Nice | 50/1 | William Hill |
Ligue 1 Betting – 2022/23 Predictions
Ligue 1 has been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain over the course of the last decade. Following their takeover by Qatar Sports Investments and their significant investment in the club, the Parisien outfit are now the top club in French football. The odds for the 2022/23 campaign certainly reflect their imperious hold over the division, although there have been occurrences of other teams rising to the occasion to beat them to the crown. Monaco achieved this feat in the 2016/17 season and Lille in the 2020/21 campaign, proving it can be done, although it will be a more difficult challenge in the 2022/23 season.
Squads in Ligue 1 are always changing, so be sure to take a look at our updated list of Ligue 1 transfers to keep up to date with all the movement from all 20 clubs, along with our top betting tips.
Paris Saint-Germain 2022/23 Predictions
- PSG have retooled in the summer with a new manager in place, despite regaining the Ligue 1 crown last season. Mauricio Pochettino was sacked after the club’s failure in the Champions League and was replaced by Christophe Galtier, who left Nice after a successful period on the south coast. Galtier has the challenge of getting the club firing on all cylinders in the Champions League, which has been the issue that has plagued Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Unai Emery, among others.
PSG strengthened their side with moves for Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Renato Sanches, Nordi Mukiele, and Hugo Ekitike. But, with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé already present in the ranks, the Ligue 1 crown should be more or less guaranteed for an 11th time for the club. Galtier is an excellent manager and has a sound philosophy, so it might just be their most convincing lineup yet.
Lyon 2022/23 Predictions
- Lyon underwhelmed in the last campaign, finishing well off the pace of the European places in eighth place. The club were also docked a point for crowd trouble against Marseille, and another incident occurred against Paris FC that resulted in their dismissal from the Coupe de France. Peter Bosz and his team have to improve in the 2022/23 campaign on the field and for their fans to behave in the stands.
However, they are the next best team in the minds of the bookmakers in Ligue 1 at odds of 16/1 to win the crown for the first time since 2008. They have also been active in the transfer market with savvy moves made for Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Corentin Tolisso, who have an abundance of experience and quality. Johann Lepenant is also an intriguing arrival from Caen to keep an eye on. Bosz will be under pressure to deliver results, but he has a good crop of players to make a charge towards the European places.
Marseille 2022/23 Predictions
- Marseille were rocked in the summer following the surprise departure of manager Jorge Sampaoli, months after guiding the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. New manager Igor Tudor has a sound record elsewhere, but adapting to French football will be tough.
Les Phocéens have spent significant amounts in the transfer market in their attempt to bridge the gap at the top of Ligue 1 to PSG. Jordan Veretout, Jonathan Clauss, Arkadiusz Milik, Cengiz Under, Pau Lopez, Matteo Guendouzi, and Luis Suarez (not to be confused with the former Liverpool and Barcelona player) have all arrived at the Stade Velodrome. Tudor will have to make it all blend on the field to maintain the high standards they enjoyed under Sampaoli. The top four should be their minimum expectation, but a title challenge should be out of the question.
Ligue 1 Relegation Predictions
- Given that the relegation spots have increased to four, there will be a lot of nervous sides in the bottom half of the table. Ajaccio are the favourites to be relegated straight back down to Ligue Two after their promotion last season. Auxerre are in the same boat, as neither team have strengthened their squad with a great deal of quality, and will be relying on team spirit to avoid an immediate return to the second tier. Clermont, Lorient, and Troyes also barely survived, and could be vulnerable amid the expanded relegation zone. Look for Clermont and Troyes to be strong candidates for the drop alongside the promoted outfits.
Summary: Your Best Bets for Ligue 1 2022/23
- PSG are almost certainly a lock for the Ligue 1 crown unless they suffer a dramatic meltdown, which is very unlikely to occur, so you may as well back them for the title although you are not going to find great value. Lyon do represent good value to finish in the top four, though, and if you can find a betting market that includes the Ligue 1 title without PSG, back them to finish as the best of the rest. Clermont Foot provide a decent price to go down, although don’t discount a team such as Brest at 5/2 from leading Ligue 1 betting sites.
As we’ve mentioned, Ligue 1 can be unpredictable. To work out which teams offer the best value for money in terms of your betting strategy, check out our article on the most profitable Ligue 1 team to bet on.
5 Reasons to Watch & Bet on the Ligue 1
- PSG’s brilliance: The Parisien outfit always provide box office entertainment in Ligue 1 because of the sheer talent of their squad. More often than not, they are firing on all cylinders due to the excellence in the final third, blowing opposing teams away with ease. If you enjoy watching football being played at an elite level in front of goal, PSG do not disappoint.
- Mbappé, Messi and Neymar: These three players are arguably the best in the world, and PSG are lucky enough to have all of them in their side. They didn’t quite work in sync last season, though, as Messi was still adjusting to life in France following his move from Barcelona. However, after playing together for a season, the trio should be working in tandem, bringing out the best in each other in the final third. The 2022/23 campaign will bring a huge level of excitement to see the world’s best scoring goals and playing incredible football in Ligue 1.
- Unpredictability: Ligue 1 is anything other than predictable outside of PSG, as titans of French football have endured periods of struggle, while upstarts have managed to defy the odds to qualify for Europe. Talented teams such as Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Monaco, Nice, Rennes, and Nantes have all proven to have quality on the field to produce attractive football.
- Rising talents: French football has been a breeding ground for elite players to emerge to either play in Ligue 1 or elsewhere. Of course, Mbappé is the true star of the league, but others such as Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchaoumeni have produced levels of brilliance before moving to Real Madrid. Others such as Houssem Aouar are still active in Ligue 1, and are continuing to astound with their performances, catching the eye of teams around the world.
- Matches aplenty: There are 10 rounds of matches every week in Ligue 1 spread across the weekend. They usually start on Friday night and go through all the way to Sunday evening, providing many opportunities for Ligue 1 betting, whether for singles, accas, live bets, or customised wagers created using a bet builder.
Players to Look Out for in Ligue 1 2022/23
- Kylian Mbappé - The superstar continues to amaze with the standard of his performances. As the driving force behind PSG’s surge for the crown, he will play a vital role once again for his team. Mbappé will want a fast start to find his form ahead of the World Cup.
- Lionel Messi – The Argentine was not at his best last season, but was still productive following his move from Barcelona. Now acclimatised to Ligue 1, expect him to tear up the league in the same manner as he did for the Catalan club in La Liga for the best part of 15 years.
- Neymar – The forward is not the most popular player in the world due to his histrionics on the field, but there is no doubting his talent. Few players can produce the skill and vision that the Brazilian has on the pitch, with Neymar likely primed for another magical season.
- Jonathan David – David was the outstanding star of Lille’s 2020/21 title win, scoring 15 goals in the last campaign and still scratching the surface of his potential. The Canada international could be ready to break the 20-goal barrier this season.
- Houssem Aouar – The midfielder has been a standout player for Lyon for five seasons, excelling with his distribution and clinical edge in the final third. Aouar will be a key cog for Lyon this term in their bid to return to the European places.
Ligue 1 2022/23 – Important Dates for This Season
Date | Event |
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5th August 2022 | Ligue 1 2022/23 season kicks off |
4th September 2022 | Derby de la Cote D’Azur – Nice v Monaco |
16th October 2022 | Le Classique – PSG v Marseille |
6th November 2022 | Chocs de Olympique – Marseille v Lyon |
13th November 2022 | Ligue 1 season halted for World Cup |
28th December 2022 | Ligue 1 resumes post World Cup |
26th February 2023 | Derby de la Cote D’Azur 2 – Monaco v Nice |
26th February 2023 | Le Classique 2 – Marseille v PSG |
23rd April 2023 | Chocs de Olympique 2 – Lyon v Marseille |
Popular Ligue 1 Betting Markets
Whether a match or season-long wager, with a top league like the Ligue 1, there is no shortage of betting opportunities, especially if you bet with one of the best football betting sites that we've recommended on our site. Below are some exciting betting markets we've selected along with a few useful Ligue 1 betting tips.
To Win Outright Without PSG
PSG’s monopoly over Ligue 1 has meant the vast majority of bookies offer punters the chance to bet on the league winner without Les Parisiens. Therefore, if PSG finish top of the table and the team you back in this sort of bet finishes second, you’ll win. You can also back an outright victor, although PSG’s incredibly short odds mean there’s little value.
Top Goal Scorer
An exciting Ligue 1 season-long bet is a Top Goalscorer wager. If you’re keen on a particular player or are certain a new arrival will hit the ground running, you can back them to top the Ligue 1 scoring charts. If your selected player ends the season with the most goals in the competition, then your bet is a winner! Recent victors include Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
To Be Relegated
Four teams will be relegated from Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 campaign, rather than the three of past seasons. There is also no playoff game, meaning all four teams in the relegation zone will be immediately relegated to Ligue 2. You can make this sort of bet at any point during the season, although odds are at their highest before the season gets underway.
To Finish Top 3 Odds
The top three in Ligue 1 each garner a lucrative slot in the following season’s Champions League, with fourth spot earning a place in the Europa League. Thus, while those in the Premier League are used to hearing the phrase “top four race”, it’s very much a battle for the top three in France. Bookmakers offer the chance to bet on those who you think will finish in one of these coveted positions, and although the odds aren’t as high compared to the outright markets, generous payouts still manifest. For more appealing odds, you might fancy backing a dark horse, like Rennes in 2019/20.
History of the French Ligue 1
The French Ligue 1, sometimes called Le Championnat, was inaugurated in September 1932 under the name National before the name of the league changed to Division 1 just after the first season. The Division 1 was rebranded in 2002 to its current name. Ligue 1 started with 20 teams in 1932 and continues with the same number to this day, including Marseille, Rennes, Montpellier, Nice, Metz, and Nimes, who were part of the founding clubs and are still participating in the current Ligue 1 season.
A total of 73 clubs have participated in the Ligue 1 since its foundation to this current season. Paris Saint-Germain is the only club not to have suffered points relegation as they were administratively relegated in 1972, but returned to the Ligue 1 in 1974, where they’ve remained since. Following heavy investment by the Qatari State, PSG have enjoyed a stranglehold over the division in the 2010s. Their superstar-laden squads have often been comfortably superior to their counterparts, with PSG having claimed seven of the last nine Ligue 1 titles.
PSG’s current supremacy resembles Lyon’s dynastical period at the turn of the millennium. Although they won seven titles on the bounce between 2002 and 2008, they have failed to claim domestic glory since.
Recent Ligue 1 Winners
Year | Champion | Runner-up |
---|---|---|
2022 | Paris Saint-Germain | Marsaille |
2021 | Lille | Paris Saint-Germain |
2020 | Paris Saint-Germain | Marseille |
2019 | Paris Saint-Germain | Lille |
2018 | Paris Saint-Germain | Monaco |
2017 | Monaco | Paris Saint-Germain |
2016 | Paris Saint-Germain | Lyon |
2015 | Paris Saint-Germain | Lyon |
2014 | Paris Saint-Germain | Monaco |
2013 | Paris Saint-Germain | Marseille |
2012 | Montpellier | Paris Saint-Germain |
2011 | Lille | Marseille |
2010 | Marseille | Lyon |
2009 | Bordeaux | Marseille |
2008 | Lyon | Bordeaux |
2007 | Lyon | Marseille |
2006 | Lyon | Bordeaux |
2005 | Lyon | Lille |
2004 | Lyon | Paris Saint-Germain |
2003 | Lyon | Monaco |
2002 | Lyon | Lens |
2001 | Nantes | Lyon |
2000 | Monaco | Paris Saint-Germain |
Most Successful Ligue 1 Teams
Club | Titles | Years |
---|---|---|
Saint-Etienne | 10 | 1956–57, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1980–81 |
Paris Saint-Germain | 10 | 1985–86, 1993–94, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021-22 |
Marseille | 9 | 1936–37, 1947–48, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 2009–10 |
Monaco | 8 | 1960–61, 1962–63, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1987–88, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2016–17 |
Nantes | 8 | 1964–65, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1994–95, 2000–01 |
Lyon | 7 | 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08 |
Bordeaux | 6 | 1949–50, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1998–99, 2008–09 |
Reims | 6 | 1948–49, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1957–58, 1959–60, 1961–62 |
Nice | 4 | 1950–51, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1958–59 |
Lille | 3 | 1945–46, 1953–54, 2010–11, 2020-21 |
Sochaux | 2 | 1934–35, 1937–38 |
Sete | 2 | 1933–34, 1938–39 |
Lens | 1 | 1997–98 |
RC Paris | 1 | 1935–36 |
Strasbourg | 1 | 1978–79 |
Olympique Lillois | 1 | 1932–33 |
Roubaix-Tourcoing | 1 | 1946–47 |
Auxerre | 1 | 1995–96 |
Montpellier | 1 | 2011–12 |
Which Players Have Scored the Most Ligue 1 Goals?
Here’s a list of the top 10 Ligue 1 all-time top-scorers.
Player | Goals |
---|---|
Jean Pierre-Papin | 156 |
Pauleta | 141 |
Edinson Cavani | 138 |
Sonny Anderson | 138 |
Kylian Mbappe | 135 |
Wissam Ben Yedder | 126 |
Lillian Laslandes | 126 |
Bafetimbi Gomis | 121 |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 113 |
Andre-Pierre Gignac | 103 |
Which Players Have Most Recently Claimed the Ligue 1 Player of the Year Award?
Year | Winner |
---|---|
2022 | Kylian Mbappe (PSG) |
2021 | Kylian Mbappe (PSG) |
2020 | Not awarded |
2019 | Kylian Mbappe (PSG) |
2018 | Neymar (PSG) |
2017 | Edinson Cavani (PSG) |
2016 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) |
2015 | Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) |
2014 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) |
2013 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) |
2012 | Eden Hazard (Lille) |
2011 | Eden Hazard (Lille) |
Ligue 1 Betting – Key Stats
- Marseille have enjoyed the most seasons in the top-flight (71).
- In the 2015/16, Paris Saint-Germain broke the single-season points record with 96.
- Mickael Landreau holds the record for most Ligue 1 appearances (618). Alain Giresse’s 586 appearances is the most by an outfield player.
- Former Marseille player Josip Skoblar holds the record for most goals scored in a single Ligue 1 season (44)
- Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti is the most decorated player in the history of Ligue 1, winning the title on eight occasions.
- Kylian Mbappé and Zlatan Ibrahimovic hold the record for winning Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, each claiming the prize on three occasions.
- Mbappé has led the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts for a record four times over the course of his career.
Ligue 1 Betting FAQs
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Based on our assessment, William Hill betting site, Ladbrokes, and the provider bet365 lead the way as the best French football bookies.
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There are 20 teams in the French Ligue 1, as has been the case since 1932. However, this will change next season when the league will be reduced to 18 clubs.
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Four European places in total are awarded to Ligue 1 teams. The top three earn entry into the following season’s UEFA Champions League (third place will enter the qualifiers), while the fourth earns an automatic spot in the UEFA Europa League.
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Four teams will be relegated from Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 campaign, marking a change from the past when three teams were relegated.
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Yes, Ligue 1 betting is very popular, and is a huge deal for many punters with a lot of different markets to wager on.
ThePuntersPage Final Say:
Although PSG have dominated Ligue 1 of late, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Ligue 1 betting. The quality of PSG’s front three always makes them a compelling watch, even if the games are one-sided with numerous wagering options available. There are plenty of talented teams in Ligue 1 that are battling for the European places, and have proven in the past that they can topple PSG in the right circumstances – just look at Monaco's and Lille's previous triumphs as proof. The league has also been a hotbed of some of the brightest talents in the game, providing not only entertainment, but the chance to bet on them before they become household names.