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It is no secret that PSG are the biggest team in Ligue 1. They have won seven of the last nine titles and have a healthy lead at the top of the standings this season.
Unlike the Premier League, the concept of top-four or top-six is rare across many of Europe's top five leagues. Even before PSG rose to prominence, Ligue 1 wasn't a highly competitive league.
Well, PSG let the league title slip last season, undone by a resilient Lille. Les Parisiens have been active in the transfer market this season and made a statement signing of Lionel Messi.
Despite inconsistencies this season, PSG find themselves at the top of the league standings and look on track to regain their title. On that note, here are the five reasons why PSG will win the Ligue 1 2021-22.
#5 Individual performances save PSG every now and then
PSG boast one of the best starting XIs across Europe's top five leagues and nowhere is the quality more evident than the final third. Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi headline their lineup.
All of them are matchwinners on their own and it is observed that even if most of them are having a bad day, one of them will step up. This season PSG have relied on individual brilliance rather than collective effort.
In November, Lionel Messi registered a hat-trick of assists in PSG's 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne. Mbappe has scored three braces, with the latest coming against Monaco in their 2-0 win. In another league game against Bordeaux, he was involved in all three of PSG's goals as he scored one and provided two assists.
This gives them a huge advantage over their rivals, who might have to rely on one or two players at either end of the pitch. In the long run, the long list of matchwinners plays in their favor in the title run.
#4 PSG's opponents end up taking points from each other
While PSG are the favorites against any of the 19 sides in Ligue 1, the result is not so fixed when the other teams square off against each other. PSG have been beaten just once this season while all other teams have suffered at least three losses.
Remove PSG from the equation and we see that Ligue 1 is quite competitive. As of 30 December, PSG are 13 points above second-placed Nice while only five points separate the seven clubs below them.
It is almost impossible to predict the outcome of the games as clubs like Metz, Bordeaux and Clermont Foot regularly take points from teams in the upper half of the table.
#3 PSG - the best at both ends of the pitch in Ligue 1
PSG have invested a lot in becoming one of Europe's best sides. They had a €500 million transfer budget this summer and thus one expects them to have the best squad in the French top-flight.
Well, not only does PSG boast the best-attacking record in Ligue 1, with 39 goals from 19 outings, they have also been defensively sound. They have conceded 17 goals which is the second-best defensive record in the league.
PSG have eight clean sheets this season across all competitions, against the likes of Manchester City, Nice, Marseille and Monaco.
The stats speak for themselves but Ballon d'Or confirmed that PSG genuinely have the best at both ends of the field. Lionel Messi was awarded the seventh Ballon d'Or of his career thanks to his incredible performances in Copa America. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who also joined the club in the summer, won the Yashin Trophy for his performances in EURO 2020.
While both players are yet to get into their groove, it is only a matter of time before they are back to their best.
#2 PSG's squad depth allows them to navigate a packed schedule
PSG have big aspirations in the Champions League having dominated domestic competitions in recent years. Playing in multiple competitions over the campaign takes a toll on the players and the manager has to take a call in making changes in starting XI accordingly.
Obviously, any injury to key players like Messi or Mbappe would be a huge blow for PSG. Here's where their squad depth comes into play. In Keylor Navas and Donnarumma, they have two world-class goalkeepers, while Mauro Icardi provides a good option coming from the bench in attack.
Mauricio Pochettino has already utilized as many as 30 players in Ligue 1 fixtures this season. The squad depth allows the clubs to have their key players rested well ahead of the fixtures and could pay dividends as they chase multiple trophies this season.
#1 Kylian Mbappe is the man in form for PSG
Kylian Mbappe has emerged as the key man for PSG this season. He has scored nine goals in Ligue 1 and also has eight assists to his name. Neymar suffered an injury blow in November while Lionel Messi is yet to hit the ground running with just one goal in Ligue 1.
Mbappe leads the league in assists, while is second in shots-per-game, averaging 3.6 shots per 90 in the league, only Messi (3.9) has more. He also leads the charts in dribbles per game, 3.4 per 90.
The Frenchman has assumed greater significance this season as players like Neymar and Messi have suffered from inconsistencies this term. PSG's game becomes more focused and direct when he is on the field. PSG have only won three games in which he hasn't scored or assisted this season.
