Ligue 1 season preview

With the new season set to get underway on Saturday, we take a look at the runners and riders in Ligue 1.

With the 2010/11 campaign set to get underway on Saturday, skysports.com takes a look at the runners and riders in Ligue 1

After seeing Lyon take the title for seven consecutive seasons, Ligue 1 has become a lot more competitive of late. Bordeaux and Marseille have taken the crown in each of the last two campaigns, proving that the division is not as clear-cut as some people might think. The big guns are expected to fire again in 2010/11, but the race for the ultimate accolade in French football remains intriguingly balanced. Any number of clubs can lay realistic claims to the title, while the battle for European qualification always makes for entertaining viewing. This could also be the year that sleeping giants such as Paris St Germain and Monaco finally break free of their shackles and back into their stride. At the opposite end of the table, life could be tough for newcomers Arles-Avignon and Brest, but expect them to give it a good go. For a greater insight into what to expect from all of those clubs competing in the French top flight this season, take a look through skysports.com's in-depth guide below.

AC Arles-Avignon

Manager: Michel Estevan Stadium: Parc des Sports Star man: Sebastien Piocelle League position in 2009/10: 3rd (L2) Overview: Last year Arles-Avignon were already considered to be something of a surprise package, having reached Ligue 2. After another amazing season then followed, despite working on the smallest budget in L2, coaching magician Michel Estevan was able to secure the last spot in Le Championnat. In the space of five years, the side from the South of France have left D5 and joined Ligue 1. Estevan has always compiled a team made up of players from all over Europe and allowed them to bounce back after difficult periods. After a change of chairmanship, the wily tactician had a bust-up with the new officials and was very close to leaving the club at one stage. He finally agreed an extension, much to the relief of all concerned, but now leader and captain Sebastien Piocelle is reported to be attracting interest in Romania. Whatever happens, the minnows are expecting a very, very difficult season and enter the campaign with just one ambition - not be immediately relegated back to L2.

AJ Auxerre

Manager: Jean Fernandez Stadium: Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps Star man: Ireneusz Jelen League position in 2009/10: 3rd Overview: Having constructed a team without a big star, AJA were barely mentioned among the favourites for Le Championnat last summer. However, despite some quite defensive tactics, coach Jean Fernandez - who was named best L1 manager last season - achieved the feat of securing UEFA Champions League qualification. Now the big test for AJA will be keeping their best players, notably captain Benoit Pedretti and striker Ireneusz Jelen. Anthony Le Tallec, the former Liverpool starlet, has joined the club, and Lille's Ludovic Obraniak is expected to sign a contract at Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps too. The main challenge for the club will arrive in August when they attempt to reach the Champions League group stage, through the qualifiers, and earn a possible draw against a big team from England, Spain or Italy. Should they prove successful in that quest, Auxerre officials will not put any pressure on the team to improve their ranking from last season.

FC Girondins de Bordeaux

Manager: Jean Tigana Stadium: Stade Chaban-Delmas Star man: Yoann Gourcuff League position in 2009/10: 6th Overview: Crowned Champion de France in 2009, Les Girondins led the league after more than half of the season last term. They also reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1985. But after the rumours started that coach Laurent Blanc was to join the French national team after the World Cup, results took a completely different turn. Bordeaux even failed to qualify for any European competition come the end of the season. With the arrival of former midfield legend Jean Tigana as their new coach, the officials will first have to fight to keep their best players, notably star playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and captain Alou Diarra. If they are able to reach that first step, Bordeaux will have just one aim - forcing their way back into continental competition.

Stade Brestois

Manager: Alex Dupont Stadium: Stade Francis-Le Ble Star man: Nolan Roux League position in 2009/10: 2nd (L2) Overview: Brest are back in Le Championnat 19 years after their last stay among France's elite. After a very good 2009/10 season, the Brittany-based side will try to keep almost the same team, as they attempt to reach their ultimate target of survival in Ligue 1. To achieve that, the SB 29 officials have done their best to keep striker Nolan Roux. The 22-year-old starlet has attracted a lot of interest, notably from the Bundesliga, but has decided to stay on under coach Alex Dupont in order to play his part in Brest's biggest challenge and attempt to improve his own level.

Stade Malherbe Caen Calvados

Manager: Franck Dumas Stadium: Stade Malherbe Star man: Benjamin Nivet League position in 2009/10: 1st (L2) Overview: Caen achieved great things last term, as they won Ligue 2 and earned the right to play in Le Championnat once again. The Normandy-based team are used to splitting their time between L1 and L2, having yo-yoed somewhat in recent times, so their only aim will be to remain in the top flight. Coach Franck Dumas is, however, already aware that he faces a difficult task. "We will have 38 finals," he said. The team have already suffered several injuries to key players and have only hired a few reinforcements, notably Yohann Mollo from Monaco and Damien Marcq from Boulogne-sur-Mer. Coach Benjamin Nivet wanted to sign Robert Pires, or a few other big names, but the club do not have the resources to accommodate such stars.

Racing Club de Lens

Manager: Jean-Guy Walleme Stadium: Stade Bollaert Star man: Vedran Runje League position in 2009/10: 11th Overview: Lens rejoined Le Championnat last summer and secured survival with consummate ease, which was their only aim. However, their last drop into Ligue 2 caused substantial financial damage to the northern giants and they have yet to bring in any fresh faces this summer. The big surprise at the club was the arrival of experienced coach Jacques Santini... as an assistant. The former French national team tactician has joined RCL to help inexperienced coach Jean-Guy Wallemme, who has extended his own contract until 2012. Even if Sang-et-Or have no European ambition, key man Yohan Demont has confirmed that they will show more ambition than during the last campaign: "I don't want to play only for salvation this season," he said boldly.

LOSC Lille

Manager: Rudi Garcia Stadium: Stadium Lille Metropole Star man: Eden Hazard League position in 2009/10: 4th Overview: Lille missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification last term. That was a major disappointment, but the side from the north of France still achieved a very good season. Les Dogues have even been acknowledged as playing the best football in Ligue 1. This term, coach Rudy Garcia will be aiming at a position among the top five, which will mean European qualification. Even if no-one is saying it out load, Champions League qualification will also be a target for the club. LOSC officials have managed to keep Belgium starlet Eden Hazard for one more season, even though some of the biggest clubs in Europe were keen to sign the huge talent - notably praised by Zinedine Zidane. They will also have to fight to keep their best assets - Adil Rami, Yohan Cabaye and Rio Mavuba.

FC Lorient

Manager: Christian Gourcuff Stadium: Stade du Moustoir Star man: Fabien Audard League position in 2009/10: 7th Overview: Les Merlus have lost a lot of players this summer. As has been the case during the last few transfer windows, Lorient have sold key players. Sylvain Marchal has joined St Etienne, Marama Vahirua has signed a contract with Nancy and Laurent Koscielny has seized his opportunity to join Arsenal. As a result, once again the Brittany-based side will have to rebuild a whole team. Coach Christian Gourcuff, well-known for his attacking system, will use young talents, most notably new arrivals Francis Coquelin and Bruno Ecuele Manga. They remain a club without any pressure or a clearly defined ambition.

Olympique Lyonnais

Manager: Claude Puel Stadium: Stade Gerland Star man: Lisandro Lopez League position in 2009/10: 2nd Overview: After seven consecutive national titles, l'OL achieved one of their dreams last season - a Champions League semi-final. But they have gone two seasons without any national silverware and no doubt Les Gones will be motivated to change that fact this term. Any position outside of the top three would be deemed a massive failure for the club. So far, despite having no financial trouble, Lyon have only hired one player this summer, Jimmy Briand. The striker, who has international ambitions with France, decided to join the French giants rather than go abroad. Further new arrivals could be drafted in before September.

Olympique de Marseille

Manager: Didier Deschamps Stadium: Stade Velodrome Star man: Lucho Gonzalez League position in 2009/10: 1st Overview: Seventeen years after their last title, the club with the most fans in France finally won a domestic double last season - winning Le Championnat and the League Cup. Didier Deschamps, the captain of the 1993 Champions League-winning side, won Le Championnat in his first season as coach at Stade Velodrome. L'OM still want to sign a big name in attack to partner captain Mamadou Niang, but have got nowhere as yet. The southern giants are a side that will be trying to remain on top of Ligue 1, while they will also be hoping to reach the knock-out stages of the Champions League. Last season they failed in a difficult group, alongside the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan.

AS Monaco

Manager: Guy Lacombe Stadium: Stade Louis II Star man: Stephane Ruffier League position in 2009/10: 8th Overview: In his first season at the Principality, coach Guy Lacombe was able to reach the final of the Coupe de France. After several seasons in the background, ASM are demonstrating new ambition. The club have been very busy in the transfer window so far. Even though they lost attacking star Nene, they hired playmaker Daniel Niculae and defender Petter Hansson. General manager Marc Keller has regularly talked about new ambition at the club.

Montpellier-Herault SC

Manager: Rene Girard Stadium: La Mosson Star man: Emir Spahic League position in 2009/10: 5th Overview: For their first season in Ligue 1 since 2004, Montpellier had a very good 2009/10 campaign - only missing out on Champions League qualification during the last days of Le Championnat. Having finished fifth, the Herault team are hoping to negotiate the Europa League qualifiers and secure continental competition. However, Montpellier have lost two of their best assets this summer: playmaker Tino Costa left to join Valencia and striker Victor Hugo Montano has signed a contract with Rennes. With a young squad that boasts a lot of talent from the club's education centre, Montpellier's objectives this year will be to reach the Europa League group stage and remain in Ligue 1. And why not enjoy a good run in a national cup as well...

AS Nancy-Lorraine

Manager: Pablo Correa Stadium: Stade Marcel-Picot Star man: Marama Vahirua League position in 2009/10: 12th Overview: Nancy will not just be looking to survive this season. Their ambition has been embodied by the transfer of Lorient's star Marama Vahirua, who signed his new contract early last winter. The 30-year-old playmaker agreed a three-year deal. Having the image of a defensive team, ASNL officials want to change that approach for a more attacking game. With the departure of striker Issiar Dia to Fenerbahce, and the long ban of Youssouf Hadji, Correa will try to get his players pressing at all times, on the new synthetic grass at Stade Marcel Picot.

OGC Nice

Manager: Eric Roy Stadium: Stade du Ray Star man: David Hellebuyck League position in 2009/10: 15th Overview: After a very difficult first half to the last campaign, Nice parted with coach Didier Olle-Nicolle and appointed Eric Roy. The former OGCN sporting director, who became a coach for the first time in his career, oversaw an amazing run of just one defeat in the last 11 games of the season. The club comfortably avoided relegated, but the coming season could be just as difficult. Les Aiglons will surely lose star striker Loic Remy, while two key members of the squad have already left: captain Olivier Echouafni, who has hung up his boots, and defender Ayekachi Apam, who has joined Rennes. The club will try to remain in Ligue 1 and start to build a stronger team, with a new stadium set to be opened in 2013.

Paris St Germain

Manager: Antoine Kombouare Stadium: Parc des Princes Star man: Mevlut Erding League position in 2009/10: 13th Overview: Even though they still need reinforcements in defence, PSG officials did make two good signings early on this summer in the form of Monaco striker Nene and versatile Lyon midfielder Mathieu Bodmer. The duo will obviously add quality to the group. For the 40th birthday of the club, PSG officials are determined to forget about last season's relegation battle. In his second season at Parc des Princes, coach Antoine Kombouare will be placed under greater pressure if results do not go well. The Parisian side have always been outstanding in the national cups (Coupe de France title holders), but the fans want European qualification through a good league standing.

St-Etienne

Manager: Christophe Galtier Stadium: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard Star man: Jeremy Janot League position in 2009/10: 17th Overview: After two difficult seasons, Les Verts hope their fortunes will change in 2010/11. On a positive note, they have finally extended the deal of striking starlet Emmanuel Riviere. The 20-year-old forward is now under contract until 2014. Tactician Christophe Galtier, who had his first experience as a head coach last term, has also strongly reinforced his team with experienced players: USA's captain Carlos Bocanegra, anchorman and veteran Laurent Battles, centre-half Sylvain Marchal, and talented full-back Albin Ebondo. With the arrival of Geoffroy-Guichard legend Dominique Rocheteau as vice-chairman on a supervisory board, Les Verts hope to be fighting for Europe rather than battling against the drop.

Stade Rennais FC

Manager: Frederic Antonetti Stadium: Stade de la Route de Lorient Star man: Asamoah Gyan League position in 2009/10: 9th Overview: Stade Rennais showed big ambition with a lot of transfer activity earlier this summer. In June, the Brittany giants acquired Onyekachi Apam from Nice, Victor Hugo Montano and Johann Carrasso from Montpellier, Georges Mandjeck from Kaiserslautern, and Stephane Dalmat from Sochaux in July. There were also a lot of departures, but Rennes are looking to build a new team after failing to clinch a European berth last term. Despite the promise, coach Frederic Antonetti has refused to clearly outline his ambitions. He said: "A new cycle will start with the early transfers, as we look to build a competitive team as soon as possible. We will have to wait for about 10 matches to set our ambitions." The arrival of new chairman Patrice Le Lay could also inspire a new spirit at the club, with the ambition having been to reach the Champions League for some time.

FC Sochaux-Montbeliard

Manager: Francis Gillot Stadium: Stade Bonal Star man: Ryad Boudebouz League position in 2009/10: 16th Overview: Sochaux will be expecting to endure a difficult campaign. Les Lionceaux have once again lost their best player, Stephane Dalmat has joined Rennes, so again Stade Bonal will have to build a new team with a lot of talented but inexperienced starlets. Moreover, several players have been injured during the pre-season period, notably veteran keeper Teddy Richet, who will miss several months of competition due to a serious knee problem. Coach Francis Gillot asked for about five reinforcements, but the club do not have the means. Chairman Alexandre Lacombe confirmed only avoiding relegation to L2 could be the club's aim this term. He said: "The season will be once again difficult, we can't hide that. The main objective is to secure survival as soon as possible."

Toulouse FC

Manager: Alain Casanova Stadium: Stadium Municipal Star man: Andre-Pierre Gignac League position in 2009/10: 14th Overview: Les Violets endured a difficult 2009/10 season (14th position), symbolised by the average performances of star striker Andre-Pierre Gignac. Club officials want to keep the French international to improve their final ranking, but he has hinted he may look to move on. Captain Mauro Cetto has refused to aim at Europe this time around, but admits the club will be looking to progress. He said: "There is a huge potential in this group. Stating that we are aiming at Europe would not be logical considering our last season. Let's say being among the top 10 would mean a good season for us."

Valenciennes FC

Manager: Philippe Montanier Stadium: Stade Nungesser Star man: Fahid Ben Khalfallah League position in 2009/10: 10th Overview: The team from the north of France have not attracted a lot of interest, but ended last season inside the top 10. Growing steadily, VAFC want to keep that development going and look to be a major force in the 2011/12 season, when the club will get a new 25,000-seater stadium, Nungesser II. Chairman Francis Decourriere stated: "Now it would be nice to remain among the top 10 in Ligue 1." However, the summer transfer market could still be heated at Valenciennes. A lot of key players could leave the club, while they have only been able to bring in three young talents: 18-year-old Vincent Aboubakar, 21-year-old Christopher Mfuyi and 22-year-old Nicolas Pallois. Above all else, Nungesser's officials want to keep the squad's only star, Tunisian forward Fahid Ben Khalfallah.