We're now preparing for matchday 23, and the Ligue 1 title race is still a three party affair. Reigning champs PSG are still finding themselves playing catch-up as Monaco and Nice lead the way, but Les Parisiens may have a reprieve. At least one of their title challengers will drop points as round 23 features yet another mouth-watering tie, and this time it will be between Les Rouges-et-Blancs and Les Aiglons on Saturday.
Facts and Stats ahead of Ligue 1 Matchday 23
Here are five things you may or may not know ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures starting Friday:
Ligue 1 Matchday 23 - U.S. viewing schedule
Below is the full U.S. schedule for round 23 of Ligue 1 action starting Friday:
Feb. 3: Metz vs Olympique Marseille on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:45 AM PST/2:45 PM EST
Feb. 4: Monaco vs Nice on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST
Feb. 4: Bordeaux vs Rennes on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Feb. 4: Dijon vs PSG on beIN SPORTS USA, fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Feb. 4: Guingamp vs Caen on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Feb. 4: Lille vs Lorient on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Feb. 4: Montpellier vs Bastia on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Feb. 5: Toulouse vs Angers on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 6:00 AM PST/9:00 AM EST
Feb. 5: Nantes vs Nancy on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST
Feb. 5: Saint-Étienne vs Olympique Lyonnais on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 9:00 AM PST/12:00 AM EST
*For more information, please navigate to each match's specific page
Ligue 1 - Matchday 23 overview
Last weekend's big clash between PSG and Monaco saw both sides have to share the spoils. That result, arguably was more favorable to Leonardo Jardim's side than for Unai Emery's troops. Les Parisiens are still three points behind Nice, but Lucien Favre's men will face a tough test against Les Rouges-et-Blancs on Saturday. The highly anticipate clash between Monaco and Nice, who are tied on points, could ultimately prove decisive in who is crowned Ligue 1 champs this May. And certainly, PSG, who cruised to the title last term but are having to work a lot harder this time around, will have their eye on the result of that fixture whilst hoping to pick up maximum points against Dijon.
Elsewhere, Lyon will be looking to get back on track after yet another stumble, and Les Gones take on Saint-Etienne, who have been in solid form as of late. Les Verts will be aiming to close the gap on their upcoming opponents and make it a third straight win (as well as a fifth unbeaten match overall). Just as things between the top three sides are pretty tight, things are also congested in the race for fourth and fifth place, which will guarantee European football for next term.
Marseille, Bordeaux, Guingamp, and Rennes are all separated by one place and one point, so the Ligue 1 table could see some major shake-ups by the time this round is over. Marseille kick off this round with a tie against relegation candidates Metz on Friday, whilst Bordeaux welcome Rennes and Guingamp hope to end their bad streak of result against a struggling Caen.
Ligue 1 - Matchday 23 standings
Here's how things stand so far after 22 rounds in the 2016/2017 Ligue 1 season. How will it look after matchday 23 concludes?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | 34 | 22 | 10 | 2 | 81 | 33 | +48 | 76 | WWLDW | |
| 2 | Monaco | 34 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 68 | 42 | +26 | 67 | WWWLW | |
| 3 | Brest | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 53 | 34 | +19 | 61 | WDDWL | |
| 4 | Lille | 34 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 52 | 34 | +18 | 59 | DWLWL | |
| 5 | Nice | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 55 | DLWWD | |
| 6 | Olympique Lyonnais | 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 49 | 55 | -6 | 53 | WWWWL | |
| 7 | Lens | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 45 | 37 | +8 | 51 | DDWLW | |
| 8 | Olympique Marseille | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 52 | 41 | +11 | 50 | WLWWD | |
| 9 | Reims | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 42 | 47 | -5 | 47 | WWDLL | |
| 10 | Rennes | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 53 | 46 | +7 | 46 | LDWLW | |
| 11 | Toulouse | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 42 | 46 | -4 | 43 | LWLWD | |
| 12 | Montpellier | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 43 | 48 | -5 | 41 | DLWDW | |
| 13 | Strasbourg | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 38 | 50 | -12 | 39 | LWLLL | |
| 14 | Nantes | 34 | 9 | 6 | 19 | 30 | 55 | -25 | 33 | LLDDL | |
| 15 | Le Havre | 34 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 34 | 45 | -11 | 32 | LLWDL | |
| 16 | Metz | 34 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 35 | 58 | -23 | 29 | LLLLW | |
| 17 | Lorient | 34 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 43 | 66 | -23 | 29 | WLLLL | |
| 18 | Clermont | 34 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 26 | 60 | -34 | 25 | LLLWL |
