Not the highest-quality of European leagues, it must be admitted, but certainly one of the most even, and largely due to PSG buying up half of Serie A, it's now on our TV screens, starting on Friday night. The Parc des Princes side undoubtedly start as favourites, with last season's names such as Nene, Pastore and Sirigu joined by Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi, Thiago Silva and probably Lucas Moura, but never discount the Parisians' unique ability to bungle even the most promising of scenarios. Though Montpellier are the defending champions, Giroud's move to the Emirates must surely weaken their challenge, and instead, Lille are the mostly likely title contenders, having invested Hazard's fee in Kalou and Sochaux's scoring sensation, Marvin Martin. Lyon and Marseille are both in the process of rebuilding, so will probably be fighting for third, at best, while as for relegation candidates, Sochaux, Troyes and Ajaccio appear to have the weakest squads, along with Valenciennes and Brest. And it's a welcome return for Reims, the two-time European Cup finalists back in Ligue 1 after a 21-year absence.
