Ligue 1 season preview

Ahead of the new Ligue 1 season, skysports.com take a look at the field.

Ahead of the new Ligue 1 season, skysports.com take a look at the field for the division to see if any club can challenge Lyon's supremacy.

The reigning champions are going for a sixth straight title and get the new season underway with a game against Nantes on Friday night.

LYON
Odds on to win the title yet again, Gerard Houllier has brought in Sebastien Squillaci and Kim Kallstrom and that makes them even stronger. If they can hang on to the likes of Mahamadou Diarra, then another good Champions League campaign also looks likely.
Skysports.com predicted position: 1st

PARIS SAINT GERMAIN
New chairman Alain Cayzac is trying to mix experience and fresh air. Ambitious Paris Saint Germain have succeeded to keep striker Pauleta, targeted by Lyon. The Portugal ace could finish as the best Ligue 1 scorer yet again. New signings Pierre-Alain Frau, David Hellbuyck and Amara Diane will bring potential to the club's attack. International players Bonaventure Kalou, Jerome Rothen and Vikash Dhorasso are motivated enough to prove their skills.
Skysports.com predicted position: 2nd

BORDEAUX
Stability is the key after last year's fantastic season. Ricardo will count on Rio Mavuba and Fernando to stabilise Les Girondins. French playmaker Johan Micoud has joined the Marines & Blancs, and will add experience and technique to the squad. But Champions League football will cost them a lot of points. Chairman Jean-Louis Triaud is still waiting in the wings to sign three players. Brazil ace Daniel Carvalho could sign from CSKA Moscow.
Skysports.com predicted position: 3rd

MARSEILLE
Pape Diouf is building an impressive group. L'OM chairman has convinced Franck Ribery to stay one more season, and signed Djibril Cisse from Liverpool. He could also welcome the arrival of Jean-Alain Boumsong, on his way out of Newcastle. After a pretty good season last year, Marseille want to qualify for Europe in order to please their numerous fans.
Skysports.com predicted position: 4th

LILLE
Coach Claude Puel is seen as the best French coach for the past couple of years. The former Monaco player and tactician always find the good receipt to transcend his young guns. As Jean II Makoun is eager to impress bigger teams, and Mathieu Bodmer wants to prove he is a sensation, LOSC could make a big impact on Ligue 1 for the third consecutive season.
Skysports.com predicted position: 5th

ST ETIENNE
New coach Ivan Hasek has brought ambition into Le Chaudron. Ilan, Geoffrey Dernis, Christophe Landrin, Yohann Hautcoeur have joined legendary Saints, and will try to make history. After a few disappointing seasons, chairman Bernard Caiazzo is anxious to make Les Verts fans dream of European qualification.
Skysports.com predicted position: 6th

MONACO
After a season of transition, the Principality club is revitalised. Young starlet Jeremy Menez has to bring fire to ASM's attack, while Sylvain Monsoreau has the difficult task to make fans forget Sebastien Squillacci. Coach Laszlo Boloni has started to bring his well-known discipline within the group.
Skysports.com predicted position: 7th

LENS
French international Alou Diarra will certainly join Roma before the end of August, but chairman Gervais Martel has already replaced him with former Arsenal target Sidi Keita. The Sangs & Or hasn't changed a lot of players, and will count on the group's solidarity and motivation to realise a good season.
Skysports.com predicted position: 8th

AUXERRE
Succeeding the emblematic Guy Roux is not that easy. Former coach Jacques Santini has suffered the Roux syndrome, and been replaced by Jean Fernandez. The new AJA tactician has signed a couple of Eastern Europe strikers. Niculae and Jelen will add quickness to stade Abbe-Deschamps.
Skysports.com predicted position: 9th

NANTES
Director of sports Japhet N'Doram has signed five new players in order to bring creativity to Canaris, who were about to be relegated a few months ago. Nourdin Boukhari, Christian Wilhelmsson, Saidou, Stoijkovic and Cubilier are now poised to prove their worth to new employers. Serge Le Dizet reckons Nantes are better equipped this year to make a real impact in French football.
Skysports.com predicted position: 10th

RENNES
Pierre Dreossi has started a huge challenge. The new manager is hopeful he has done enough to build a squad capable of winning against every team. But after having lost Yohann Gourcuff (Milan) and Alexander Frei (Dortmund), the Brittany club has only welcomed Mario Melchiot, Daniel Moreira and Bruno Cheyrou. This recruitment could not be sufficient to reach the top of the table.
Skysports.com predicted position: 11th

SOCHAUX
Former Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin has signed a couple of interesting players, like Jeremy Brechet and Ligue 2 ace Karim Ziani. After a very stressful 05/06 season for their fans, the club will secure a Ligue 1 spot easily this term.
Skysports.com predicted position: 12th

NICE
OGCN will trust striker David Bellion, Mat Moussilou and Marama Vahirua to avoid relegation. Frederic Antonetti, who doesn't have a big spending summer budget, will faces stiff competition with a number of clubs.
Skysports.com predicted position: 13th

TROYES
Jean-Marc Furlan holds the secret of sexy-football, but unfortunately, that is not enough to be competitive. A homogeneous group will give 100% to remain in the elite. Playmaker Yann Lachuer will be the team's leader on the pitch.
Skysports.com predicted position: 14th

TOULOUSE
Elie Baup already knows he will only fight to avoid relegation. TFC haven't invested on recruitment, as only Elmander and Fabinho have arrived, and will have to trust his academy players.
Skysports.com predicted position: 15th

LE MANS
Frederic Hantz's squad will have to succeed in their difficult challenge to remain a second straight season in the elite of French football. The loss of tireless midfielder Yohann Hautcoeur will cost MUC 72 a lot.
Skysports.com predicted position: 16th

LORIENT
Coach Christian Gourcuff, who has already experienced Ligue 1 football, will be the motor of the promoted club. Revitalised players like Fiorese, Abriel, Medjani (ex-Liverpool) and Le Pen are seen by some as a viable alternatives.
Skysports.com predicted position: 17th

NANCY
After having won last year's Coupe de la Ligue, ASNL have to convince their fans they are a Ligue 1 club. The group hasn't changed, as only African striker Dosunmu and Sauget have signed. A tough season is expected for Nancy.
Skysports.com predicted position: 18th

SEDAN
CSSA are expected to suffer a lot during this season. Sedan have signed a few mid-table players, like Yoann Lachor from Lens, and could lack solidarity within the squad.
Skysports.com predicted position: 19th

VALENCIENNES
The promoted club has a too limited budget to make an impact on Ligue 1. In spite of having signed experienced goalkeeper Nicolas Pennetau, who will miss the start of the season because of an injury, and young ace Rudy Haddad form PSG, VAFC will fight until the end.
Skysports.com predicted position: 20th