The Ligue 1 2026-27 season is almost here, and even before the first whistle, the appetite is already there. Eighteen clubs, 306 fixtures to be played, and an endless supply of possible storylines: that is the beauty of a pre-season where we rebuild the world on paper before the pitch sets the record straight. Here at Asierta, we're waiting for one thing only — for you to lock in your score predictions, match after match, to see which of your mates has the sharpest instinct. Here's our tour of a campaign that promises plenty.
The format: 18 clubs, 306 matches, no let-up
Since the switch to eighteen teams, Ligue 1 has tightened its calendar without losing an ounce of intensity. Thirty-four matchdays, 306 scheduled fixtures: every weekend counts double, because there's less of a cushion to absorb any slip-ups. A poor autumn month, and a would-be contender is dragged down into mid-table; a well-timed winning run, and an outsider finds itself playing party-pooper right through to spring.
This condensed format also changes things for the predictors among us. Fewer matchdays means more pressure on every call: you can't keep clawing it back forever. Which is another way of saying that a strong start to the season on Asierta can make all the difference.
PSG the boss, but how far ahead?
Paris Saint-Germain FC go into this Ligue 1 2026-27 campaign wearing the label they lug around every summer: the number one favourites. The real question is never whether they'll be in the title race, but by what margin and at what tempo they'll cruise through it. For everyone else, the goal is twofold: cling to the leading pack and, above all, nick points off Paris whenever the chance comes — those are exactly the fixtures punters love trying to call.
Behind them, the usual ambitious trio is gearing up to play leading roles. AS Monaco FC, Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais have the resources and the history to aim for Europe. Lille OSC, RC Strasbourg Alsace and OGC Nice have no intention of merely making up the numbers either.
The promoted sides: between survival and surprise
Every season has its newcomers, and this edition is no exception. Paris FC, Le Mans FC and ES Troyes AC are among the clubs that will have to prove they belong in the top flight. The first challenge is always the same: bank a few points quickly so as not to settle into the relegation spiral.
Historically, the promoted sides who survive are the ones who turn their stadium into a fortress. For predictors, they're tricky teams: capable of the very best at home, often fragile on the road. A genuine puzzle when fine-tuning your scorelines.
Mid-table, where anything can happen
This is often where a season's real spice lies. Stade Rennais FC 1901, Stade Brestois 29, Racing Club de Lens, Toulouse FC, AJ Auxerre, Angers SCO, FC Lorient and Le Havre AC make up this dense pack where a handful of wins is enough to change everything.
Brest have shown in the past that a club can shake up the pecking order; Lens and Rennes have the ambition to gatecrash the upper reaches. In this middle zone, every head-to-head carries weight — and that is precisely what makes the predictions so tasty.
The numbers to keep in mind
- 18 clubs competing in Ligue 1 2026-27
- 306 league matches scheduled across the season
- 34 matchdays to predict, with no downtime
- 1 big pre-tournament favourite, PSG — but 17 teams determined to make them sweat
- 3 promoted spots to watch closely at the bottom of the table
Over to you
The Ligue 1 2026-27 season has all the ingredients of a thrilling vintage: a favourite to challenge, promoted sides to weigh up, an unpredictable mid-table. All that's left to settle is who, between you and your mates, has the sharpest nose for calling the scores.
On Asierta, everything is free and there's no money betting: we play for pride, for fun and for bragging rights. Find out how the game works and its rules, start up your league with your pals, and lock in your first predictions from the opening matchday. The season is only waiting for you.