ntroduction: A Title Race Reborn
The 2025-26 French Ligue 1 season has defied every preseason prediction. For years, the narrative in France was one of inevitable Parisian dominance, but as we close out the 2025 calendar year, the “Farmers League” moniker has been thoroughly debunked. We are currently witnessing a historic three-way—and arguably four-way—battle for the Hexagoal trophy.
With RC Lens sitting precariously at the summit, the traditional powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain find themselves in the unaccustomed position of hunters rather than the hunted. Behind them, a revitalized Olympique de Marseille and a clinical LOSC Lille are locked in a dead heat for the final Champions League spots. From the tactical masterclasses in the north to the high-spending drama in the south, the Ligue 1 table has never been this congested or this exciting.
The Table Section
# Logo Team W D L FOR Points 1 
Lens 12 1 3 28 37 2 
Paris Saint-Germain 11 3 2 35 36 3 
Marseille 10 2 4 36 32 4 
Lille 10 2 4 33 32 5 
Olympique Lyonnais 8 3 5 22 27 6 
Rennes 7 6 3 27 27 7 
Strasbourg 7 2 7 25 23 8 
Toulouse 6 5 5 24 23 9 
Monaco 7 2 7 26 23 10 
Angers SCO 6 4 6 17 22 11 
Brest 5 4 7 21 19 12 
Lorient 4 6 6 19 18 13 
Nice 5 2 9 19 17 14 
Paris FC 4 4 8 21 16 15 
Le Havre 3 6 7 13 15 16 
Auxerre 3 3 10 14 12 17 
Nantes 2 5 9 14 11 18 
Metz 3 2 11 17 11
The Biggest Movers: Analysis
The most staggering story of the December fixtures has been the relentless surge of RC Lens. Pierre Sage’s men have orchestrated a flawless run of form, punctuated by a gritty 2-1 victory over Nantes. By amassing 37 points from 16 matches, they have managed to hold off a PSG side that, despite a massive 5-0 thrashing of Rennes, remains one point adrift. Lens’ ability to maintain defensive discipline while finding goals through collective effort—rather than individual superstars—has made them the “Biggest Movers” in terms of credibility and points.
On the other end of the momentum spectrum, AS Monaco has suffered a disastrous winter slump. Once considered title challengers under their new management, a string of losses—including a damaging 1-0 defeat to Marseille—has seen them tumble to 9th place. Conversely, Angers SCO has become the league’s surprise package. Their 4-1 demolition of Nantes this week propelled them into the top ten, moving them far away from the “relegation fodder” labels they carried back in August.
Key Takeaways
- Lens Leading the Pack: RC Lens (37 pts) holds the top spot thanks to a league-high 12 wins. Their secret? A balanced squad that has only conceded 13 goals all season, the best defensive record in the division.
- PSG’s Firepower: Despite being 2nd, PSG (36 pts) remains the league’s most dangerous side with 35 goals scored. Players like Kvaratskhelia and Gonçalo Ramos have stepped up to fill the void, keeping the Parisians within a single point of the lead.
- The Relegation Danger Zone: The bottom of the table is a grim sight for traditionalists. FC Metz (11 pts) and FC Nantes (11 pts) occupy the direct relegation spots, while AJ Auxerre (12 pts) sits in the play-off position. Nantes’ recent managerial change to Ahmed Kantari highlights the desperation at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
- Impact of Big Matches: The recent “Choc des Olympiques” saw Marseille edge out Monaco 1-0, a result that effectively cemented OM’s place in the Top 3 while potentially ending Monaco’s European dreams for the season.
- The Greenwood Factor: Mason Greenwood continues to lead the Golden Boot race with 11 goals, keeping Marseille’s offensive engine purring and ensuring they stay level with Lille on 32 points.
Future Outlook: What to Expect Next
As Ligue 1 enters its brief winter hiatus, all eyes are on the January transfer window. PSG is expected to be active as they look to reclaim their throne, while Lens will fight to keep their core squad together. When the league resumes in January 2026, the Matchday 17 fixtures will be pivotal.
Expect a massive clash between the mid-table aspirants as Strasbourg takes on Lorient, but the real drama will be at the bottom; Nantes faces a “six-pointer” against Auxerre that could dictate who survives the drop. If Lens can maintain their composure through the first three weeks of the New Year, we might just see the biggest upset in French football history.
