After weeks of catching up, PSG finally reclaimed the top berth in France, as the defending Ligue 1 champions notched a 1-0 win over Auxerre last night. With 45 points, Luis Enrique’s men have a two-point cushion over RC Lens, and they have now won five consecutive league matches.
PSG hope that certain Ligue 1 2026 results will go their way for the rest of this weekend. They are praying for RC Lens to drop points against Marseille, who are trying to consolidate their Top 3 spot in the French top-flight table. In the meantime, the Parisiens will cheer on Les Olympiens, with an OM win being the best-case scenario.
Elsewhere, Strasbourg recently ended their five-game winless run (D2, L2) with the help of their new boss, Gary O’Neil. However, Le Bleu et Blanc are in for a difficult matchup against Lille on Sunday night.
Here are some notable updates in the French top-flight, courtesy of SBOTOP.
PSG’s profligacy almost cost them
PSG had to earn their three points from Auxerre last night at Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps the hard way, as the hosts were fighting for their lives. Auxerre are 17th in the French top-flight standings with 12 points, level with 18th-seeded Metz, so they badly needed to win at home and ruin the Ligue 1 2026 odds.
Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Leon, with 23 saves in his last three appearances against the defending champions, frustrated PSG again, as he thwarted Bradley Barcola’s chances early on. The 33-year-old also saved Goncalo Ramos and Ibrahim Mbaye’s attempts before the halftime break. In contrast, his opposite number, Lucas Chevalier, was not properly tested at the other end. Kevin Danois and Lassine Sinayoko had shots at PSG’s goal, but neither hit the target.
After a frustrating first half, head coach Luis Enrique eventually subbed in Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele during the hour mark, and their presence made a huge difference. Doue and Barcola linked up for two chances, but to no avail. However, Barcola was eventually rewarded for his determination and persistence with a goal in the 79th minute, with the help of Dembele.
Beating Auxerre certainly boosted PSG’s morale, as the Parisiens were fresh from a 2-0 loss to Sporting in the Champions League earlier in midweek.
RC Lens and Marseille square off in key clash
PSG will be watching tomorrow’s matchup between Marseille and RC Lens closely at the Stade Velodrome. The visitors can stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions and maintain their lead atop the Ligue 1 table with a victory. At the same time, a win for the hosts will narrow the gap to five points between them and the visitors.
Marseille have been busy in the winter transfer window, selling Robinio Vaz and Pol Lirola and releasing Ruben Blanco while acquiring Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal and Quinten Timber on a permanent deal from Feyenoord. Nwaneri and Timber could come off the bench against RC Lens.
Before facing RC Lens, OM won 5-2 against Angers, as Amine Gouiri, Igor Paixao, Timothy Weah, Hamed Traore, and Ligue 1 Golden Boot frontrunner Mason Greenwood found the back of the net. However, they subsequently lost 3-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League during midweek.
RC Lens advanced to the Coupe de France Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Sochaux two weeks ago, before beating Auxerre by a single goal last time out. Wesley Said netted the only goal on Matchday 18 for Pierre Sage’s side for his eighth score this term.
Les Sang et Or will be without Jonathan Gradit (leg), Jhoanner Chavez (thigh), Regis Gurtner (hamstring), Anthony Bermont (knock), and Amadou Haidara (fitness). Odsonne Edouard could return after taking the day off against Auxerre.
O’Neil off to a positive start at Strasbourg
Strasbourg appointed Gary O’Neil to be their manager after Liam Rosenior moved to Chelsea earlier this month, and the former Wolves boss is off to a positive start. His first game in charge yielded a 6-0 victory over Avranches to advance to the Coupe de France Round of 16, and he followed it up with a 2-1 win against Metz last weekend.
Les Bleu et Blanc improved to seventh in the standings with 27 points, and they plan to tack on more when they visit Lille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy on Sunday. Gary O’Neil won’t have Emmanuel Emegha (leg), Saidou Sow (knee), Maxi Oyedele (muscle), Andrew Omobamidele (calf), and Mathis Amougou (ankle) available. However, he still has a potent frontline, with Joaquin Panichelli, Martial Godo, Diego Moreira, and Julio Enciso leading the way.
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