Messi, Mbappe chasing mathematical confirmation of French crown
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have Paris Saint-Germain on the precipice of another Ligue 1 title, but there’s still some work to be done to earn the silverware.
PSG sit atop the standings, holding an eight-point cushion above the rest of the league. Should they win, it would be PSG’s third straight league title and ninth in the past 11 years.
It seemed for some time after consecutive defeats to Rennes and Lyon in early April that their spot at the top of the table would be in peril, but they have recovered well to come close to winning the crown.
It’s been a difficult season for Christophe Galtier overall, knocked out of the Champions League and Coupe de France earlier than desired. Yet the league title should give the Parisians some respite from the jeers.
Ligue 1 table, standings
PSG currently hold an eight-point lead over the rest of Ligue 1, and are charging towards the top flight title.
Marseille and Lens are jumbled in second and third, the only clubs that are within reach. Still, they have lots of work to do to get back in contention.
Ligue 1 table
Updated as of Saturday, April 29, 2023.
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goal Difference | Next Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | PSG | 75 | 32 | 75 | +44 | vs Lorient, Apr. 30 |
| 2. | Marseille | 67 | 32 | 59 | +28 | vs Auxerre, Apr. 30 |
| 3. | Lens | 66 | 32 | 54 | +29 | @ Toulouse, May 2 |
PSG remaining Ligue 1 fixtures
| Date | Time (GMT / ET) | Opponent | Home/ Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Apr. 30 | 16:05 / 11:05 | Lorient | H |
| Sun, May 7 | 19:45 / 14:45 | Troyes | A |
| Sat, May 13 | 20:00 / 15:00 | Ajaccio | H |
| Sat, May 21 | 19:45 / 14:45 | Auxerre | A |
| Fri, May 27 | 20:00 / 15:00 | Strasbourg | A |
| Fri, Jun. 3 | 20:00 / 15:00 | Clermont Foot | H |
When can PSG confirm Ligue 1 title?
With six matches remaining, second-placed Marseille have a maximum possible point total of 85. Thus, to secure the title, PSG need to reach 86 points to ensure themselves of mathematical confirmation.
With PSG sitting on 75 points at the moment, a combination of 11 points gained by PSG and dropped by the team in second – currently Marseille – would see them win the 2022/23 Ligue 1 title.
If PSG and Marseille remain perfect the rest of the way, PSG would not be able to win the title until their visit to Auxerre on May 21. However, that could change if Marseille, Lens, and those behind them drop points in their upcoming matches.
When did PSG last fail to win Ligue 1 title
PSG have maintained significant dominance over the French top flight over the past decade. They won their first league title in 1986, and again in 1994, but they have won most of their league championships over the past 10 years.
Since 2013, PSG have won eight Ligue 1 titles, failing to win only in 2016/17 and 2020/21, the latter of which came two years ago as Lille pipped the crown by a single point. Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David combined for 29 league goals to see LOSC to the championship.
That 2020/21 season saw PSG lose eight matches across the league campaign, including dropping games against other top-tier rivals Lens, Marseille, Monaco (twice), Lyon, and critically, Lille in early April.
Compare that to this season, where PSG hold a significant lead atop the table, having only lost five league matches all year long.
