Will Lille have the legs to win again the title race or will Lyon and Marseille roar back to the summit? With the new season starting soon, we analize and predict the top and bottom teams, surprises and probable Golden Boot. Check out our Ligue 1 2011/2012 season betting preview.

RELEVANT FACTS- The French title returned to Lille last season for the first time since 1954, backed up by a similarly long-awaited Coupe de France victory. Coach Rudi Garcia has targeted another title challenge over and above a prolonged Champions League campaign and will pray that Eden Hazard and Moussa Sow do not follow Arsenal-bound Gervinho and Valencia’s Adil Rame out of the club this summer.

- Paris St-Germain are the new joint-favourites to win Ligue 1 after completing an incredible six signings in the space of four days, for a combined cost of around £70 million. Valenciennes centre back Milan Bisevac, Roma playmaker Jeremy Menez, St-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi, Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, Juventus spoiler Momo Sissoko and Palermo phenomenon Javier Pastore all arrived under the "Tour Eiffel". Coach Kombouare’s job will be to complement these talents with his existing top players Hoarou, Erdinc and last season’s player of the year Nene. There is every reason to expect an improvement on last season’s ultimately-disappointing fourth place finish and with no Champions League distraction, they rate top value to take the crown, even if the early 8/1 quotes have now long disappeared.

- Marseille couldn’t back up their 2009/10 title triumph and while Alou Diarra amongst others has arrived from Bordeaux, the likely departure of Lucho Gonzalez, currently being courted by Chelsea and newly-rich Malaga will be hard felt. OM will surely challenge again but may be replaced as bookies favourites before too long.

- After what was deemed a disappointing season Lyon sacked Coach Claude Puel and replaced him with Rémi Garde. On paper a squad containing international stars such as Cris, Michel Bastos, Kallstrom, Pjanic, Gomis, Briand & Gourcuff should still set the standard but their season may be dictated by a crucial early season Champions League group stage play off.

- Bordeaux and Toulouse are a country mile behind the top teams. The last major piece from Bordeaux title winning side of two years ago has left, with no Alou Diarra this team is set to struggle. The signing of Landry N'Guemo will be critical, he will have to play a huge role for this team in the defensive midfield and will be responsible for protecting the back four.
As to Toulouse, losing Andre-Pierre Gignac last year was telling, unless they find a decent replacement they will find it hard to score goals. Toulouse will need to do some work in the transfer market, they have brought in a few signings but it’s questionable whether they able to cope in Ligue 1.

- Dijon FCO could be the best surprise during this season. The team is newly promoted but has made some key moves in the transfer market, specifically Daisuke Matsui and Abdoulaye Meite, the good thing is both players came on free transfers.

- The departure of three key players has been little compensated by the arrivals of Sinama-Pongolle on loan and ex-Ranger Jeremy Clement at St Etienne and Les Verts are unlikely to match their mid-table finish last season, having in fact led the league during the Autumn. Their form from then on would indicate they are in danger of slipping further and a relegation struggle should not be unexpected.

BEST ODDS

Ligue 1   2011/2012	Best Odds	Bookie
Marseille	3.50
Lyon	3.75
PSG	5.00

OUR PREDICTIONS:- PSG to win Ligue 1 @ 5.00
  (2nd place Marseille, 3rd place Lyon)

- Kevin Gameiro top goalscorer @ 7.50
  (2nd place Andre-Pierre Gignac, 3rd Place Moussa Sow)

- PSG top 3 Finish @ 1.53

- Evian Thoron Gaillard to be relegated form Ligue 1 @ 2.65


RISK BET- Saint Etienne to be relegated from Ligue 1 @ 41.00