With Paris Saint-Germain short priced favourites to win the 2025-26 Ligue 1 title, we need to look to other markets for some value.
The Top 3 market features many of the usual suspects in French football, but one team appears to be overlooked.
Ligue 1 - Top 3 Finish Betting Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Marseille | 2.00 |
| Monaco | 2.60 |
| Lens | 2.63 |
| Lille | 3.00 |
| Lyon | 3.60 |
| Rennes | 6.00 |
| Strasbourg | 15.00 |
| Nice | 19.00 |
| Toulouse | 21.00 |
| Paris FC | 26.00 |
| Brest | 34.00 |
| Lorient | 67.00 |
The Contenders
Before making a case for Strasbourg, I am going to offer some reasons why I am avoiding the other teams that are more favoured in the market.
Marseille have lost their two top scorers in Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Greenwood was the star in southern France and is departure will be sorely missed.
With Bruno Genesio the new manager in charge and a Europa League campaign to contend with, I am comfortable overlooking the southern club.
Monaco conceded 54 goals last season, just three teams conceding more in Ligue 1. Brazilian manager Filipe Luís comes in from Flamengo, but with a deep run expected in the Conference League, I think they are too short.
Lyon have stability with Paulo Fonseca remaining in charge and finished fourth last season, one point behind Lille. If Lois Openda can start to fire up front and they handle a long Europa League campaign, they have the capability to improve.
Lille have taken a gamble by hiring Davide Ancelotti who has a huge reputation to live up to due to the success of his father. Their squad is solid but it remains to be seen how Ancelotti will perform in his second senior role.
Lens finished second last season and were the only team to push PSG in the final weeks of the campaign. Midfield duo Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré left the club alongside two important players, centre-back Malang Sarr and top scorer Wesley Said.
The managerial merry go round continues in France with Dino Toppmöller replacing Pierre Sage, and like many of his new recruits, the German manager will have the added expectation of a Champions League campaign to contend with.
Rennes are another team with a Europa League campaign to deal with after finishing sixth last season. Franck Haise has been in charge since February which gives him an edge against some of his rivals.
With a strike force consisting of Estéban Lepaul, Eliezer Mayenda and Breel Embolo, the 6.00 on offer for the Brittany club are appealing.
Strasbourg a Solid Option
Strasbourg's fortunes changed in 2023 when BlueCo, a consortium led by Todd Boehly, became shareholders. The link with Chelsea has seen a considerable number of players and managers move between the clubs.
The Ligue 1 market values from transfermarkt.com show how young and talented the squad is:
The Blue and Whites went on a deep run in the Conference League last season, topping the league phase before falling to Rayo Vallecano in the semi-finals.
Liam Rosenior left to manage Chelsea in January, Gary O'Neil taking over and securing an eighth place finish in Ligue 1, one point behind Monaco. It means Strasbourg won't play in Europe this season, which could be a blessing in disguise.
Manager Hugo Oliveira takes charge and proved his worth at Famalicão, the Portuguese club finishing fifth in the Primeira Liga after conceding 29 goals in 34 games.
Goalkeeoer Filip Jorgensen has come in on loan from Chelsea, centre-backs Ismaël Doukouré and Lucas Hogsberg have a high ceiling and with depth in the full-back positions, it would be no surprise to see Oliveira's side become hard to break down.
Samir El Mourabet is 20-years-old and should dominate central midfield. There is more than enough talent out wide with Diego Moreira, Martial Godo, Sebastian Nanasi, Gessime Yassine and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw competing for positions.
Julio Enciso operated up front at times last season but is on the verge of sealing a move to Ipswich Town. If Giovanni Reyna can recapture his best form, expect the American to play a big role.
The main concern surrounds top scorer Joaquín Panichelli who was on fire before suffering a cruiciate ligament injury in April. He is not expected to make a full recovery until the end of the year.
Oliveira clearly lacks options up front, so expect some action to happen in the transfer window. Genk striker Aaron Bibout and Real Madrid forward Jacobo Ortega have been linked with the club.