PSG field feared front three
The French football season kicks off on Friday and Paris SaintGermain will start as favourites to claim the 2018-19 Ligue 1 Conforama title.
Although most fans consider the league a one-horse race, AS Monaco's stunning 2016-17 triumph should serve as a reminder that the French top flight is anything but. PSG’s freshly appointed new coach, Thomas Tuchel, will also be fully aware nothing can be taken for granted although his team remain - on paper - the strongest in the division.
The key elements of last season's title winners, who finished 13 points clear of the field, remain. Kylian Mbappé returns from the FIFA World Cup with his reputation as a future world great reinforced. The teenage France international will once more form a devastating front three with Edinson Cavani and Neymar Jr, who - it should be highlighted - missed most of the second half of last season having plundered a spectacular 19 goals and 13 assists in just 20 league matches.
With Tuchel's squad emboldened by last season’s clean sweep of domestic silverware, PSG remain the team to beat.
AS Monaco emerged as the closest challengers to PSG last season. As was the case in the aftermath of the 2016-17 title win, coach Leonardo Jardim has seen some major components of his squad depart in Thomas Lemar and Fabinho, heading for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool respectively.
But the principality club have retained the predatory services of Radamel Falcao, who struck 18 goals in 26 top-flight outings last season, their back four remains intact, and they will look to the likes of Youri Tielemans, Rony Lopes and highly rated summer signing Willem Geubbels to help them be just as effective.
Olympique de Marseille, under the stewardship of Rudi Garcia, have become a force to be reckoned with once again. The run to last season's UEFA Europa League final underlined what a good side the ex-LOSC Lille boss has at his disposal.
Playmaker Dimitri Payet and 22-goal forward Florian Thauvin were the chief architects of that exploit.
Another team which could upset the established order is Nice with Patrick Vieira in charge. Girondins de Bordeaux is also resurgent under Gustavo Poyet and Stade Rennais could carry on where they left off last year after being one of the most impressive performers in the second half of last season.
The Portuguese Primeira Liga also starts on Friday where Porto will aim to retain their title.
They have retained the services of veteran Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
The 37-year-old former Real Madrid goalkeeper won a World Cup and two European titles with Spain. He will have a chance to compete again in the Champions League, a competition he won three times with Real, and in which he has made a record 178 appearances.
Porto kick off their domestic season on Saturday when they play Aves, the surprise winner of the Portuguese Cup last season, in the Supercup.