Three Big Questions in the Return of Ligue 1

Don´t miss all the action of Ligue 1 on beIN SPORTS

Is Marseille Already Fighting Relegation?

Although the Ligue 1 season is only five games down, Marseille is already facing its most critical match of the campaign. An away day at Troyes may not seem like the most dramatic of matches, but cash-strapped Marseille is currently at rock bottom both on and off the pitch.

Bruno Genesio's side is currently in the relegation zone, languishing second-from-bottom of the table, and on a run of four straight league defeats, including the last round's home loss to PSG in Le Classique.

Amine Gouiri has been the only shining light on the pitch with four goals this season, but this has not saved a dreadful run of form. Another loss for Marseille against third-from-bottom Troyes would equal the team's longest losing streak in the top-flight over the last 40 years.

No side is too big to go down in Ligue 1, as Bordeaux and St. Etienne have found out in recent seasons, two teams with sixteen league title wins between them. Marseille has to beat Troyes to move off the same path.

Sunday, Oct 11th: 2:35PM ET - Troyes vs. Marseille - live on beIN SPORTS

Will PSG Get Into Gear in Ligue 1 Return?

The 2-1 win at Marseille just before the international break put a gloss on what was a slow start to the season for PSG, even by the standards of a team that tends to move through the gears later on in the campaign.

The win in Le Velodrome was just the second in the team's first five matches. That leaves PSG in sixth place, five points off the league leaders of Monaco, the side that inflicted Paris Saint-Germain's single defeat so far.

PSG is still trying to find its feet in Ligue 1. Luis Enrique's side has the highest number of expected goals with 12.1 but has only converted eight of them. Slow starting has also been an issue for PSG with just two goals from eight being scored in the first half of matches, allowing opposition sides to get ahead. The defense has also been leakier than normal. Seven goals have been conceded, the same number as Le Havre at the bottom.

However, the visit of newly-promoted Le Mans could be the chance for a reboot and an eventual move to the more familiar position at the top of the table.

Saturday, Oct 10th: 2:35PM ET. - PSG vs. Le Mans - live on beIN SPORTS

Can Folarin Balogun Keep Monaco at the Top of the Table?

Folarin Balogun has been making headlines for the past few months, but not the kind he would want. The USMNT striker was at the center of a World Cup controversy after FIFA overturned a red card suspension, an action that still hasn't been properly explained. That was followed by the late collapse of a transfer from Monaco to Everton.

An injury has largely sidelined the American striker, who played his first minutes of the season against Lens just before the international break. However, three weeks to further regain fitness could not come at a better time for Monaco, which is currently at the top of the table. Top scorer, Paris Brunner, is set to miss the next two games through suspension after making a gesture to opposition fans in a clash against Strasbourg.

This gives the chance for Balogun to take up the number nine spot and remind the world of his talents on the pitch, rather than the controversies off it.

Saturday, Oct 10th: 2:35PM ET - Monaco vs. Toulouse - live on beIN SPORTS CONNECT

Three Questions to Watch as Ligue 1 Returns

• Marseille desperately needs a response after four consecutive league defeats.
• PSG has underlying attacking numbers to improve on but remains five points off Monaco.
• Folarin Balogun has an opportunity to reclaim a leading role for the Ligue 1 leaders.

Subscribe to watch beIN SPORTS LIVE

You Might Also Like: