The UEFA Champions League 2022-23 group stage draw grabbed headlines after pitting FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in one group.

Barcelona, Inter and Bayern Munich have been clubbed with Viktoria Plzen in Group C, which is considered as the Group of Death for the upcoming UCL group stage.

It is worth noting that Barcelona and Bayern Munich were drawn together previously in Group E during the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 group stage. Bayern ended up beating the Blaugrana 3-0 in both group games and relegating the Catalans to the Europa League.

Robert Lewandowski, who scored 69 Champions League goals for Bayern Munich between 2014 and 2022, will face his former employers in the UCL 2022-23 group stage.

Inter Milan, who crashed out in the Round of 16, will fancy their opportunity to qualify for the knockout phase.

Another group that football fans must watch out for is Group G. Premier League champions Manchester City have been drawn with Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund and Copenhagen.

Erling Haaland, who joined City from Dortmund earlier this year, couldn’t have asked for an earlier reunion with his former side. Having set the records for the youngest (20 years, 231 days) and the fastest player (14 matches) to score 20 UCL goals while at Borussia Dortmund, all eyes will be fixed on the Norwegian striker to see how he performs against Die Borussen.

Liverpool, who won UCL 2018�?9, will play in Group A alongside Ajax, Napoli and Rangers while Chelsea have been drawn with AC Milan, Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb in Group E.

Group H features Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus while Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur will be the favourites to qualify from Group B and Group D respectively.

Meanwhile, defending champions Real Madrid will begin their quest for a 15th European crown while taking on the likes of RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic in Group F.

UEFA Champions League 2022-23 group stage draw

Group A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers

Group B: Porto, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge

Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzeň

Group D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille

Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea, RB Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb

Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic

Group G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Copenhagen

Group H: Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa

Featured photo: AFP / OZAN KOSE

The Ligue 1 is the highest division of league football in France.

Initially, the First Division football in France was played as an amateur league run by the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA) between 1894 to 1919 and by the French Football Federation between 1919 to 1926.

After the National Council of the French Football Federation voted in favour of professionalism in French football in 1930, the Ligue 1 - then known as National - was instituted.

The first season of National began in 1932-33, with 20 teams. From 1933 to 2001, the top-tier league in France was called Division 1 and it was only in 2002 that the French league was renamed as Ligue 1.

Over the years, Ligue 1 has often changed the allotment of clubs (14, 16, 18, 20) to feature in the tournament.

Ligue 1 follows the basic promotion-relegation rules, as it is in other major European Leagues. The clubs who finish the season at 19th and 20th positions are relegated to Ligue 2, while the top two teams in Ligue 2 win promotion to Ligue 1.

A two-legged relegation/promotion play-off is played between the 18th-placed team in Ligue 1 and the winner of the promotion playoffs in Ligue 2.

In Ligue 2, the fourth and fifth-placed teams play a one-legged fixture where the winner faces the third-ranked team in the second-tier competition. The winner of this tie then battles the third-last team in Ligue 1 to secure promotion in the top-flight competition.

In case the Ligue 2 team wins on aggregate, they are promoted to Ligue 1 and their opponent is relegated to Ligue 2. On the flipside, if the Ligue 1 team wins the play-off, both clubs remain in their respective leagues.

The 1992-93 season is the first - and only instance - in history where no team walked away with the league title. Initial winners Marseille were stripped off the title due to their involvement in a bribery scandal and runners-up Paris Saint Germain refused to claim the league crown.

Who were the first winners of Ligue 1?

Olympique Lillois, the predecessor of Lille, were the first league champions of France football in the professional era. They defeated Cannes in the final by a score of 4-3.

Georges Winckelmans netted a brace as his side, who topped Group A with 28 points from 18 games, managed to edge past Cannes - who qualified for the final ahead of top-ranked FC Antibes who were involved in a bribery scandal.

Lyon won the league in 2002-03, the first season following the rebranding of Division 1 to Ligue 1. It was the second of seven consecutive league wins for the club between 2001-02 and 2007-08.

Who has the most Ligue 1 titles?

Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne share the record for most Ligue 1 titles. PSG, who won the Ligue 1 2021-22 season, now have 10 league titles just as Les Verts.

Saint Etienne were the first team to win 10 Ligue 1 titles, with their last domestic success coming back in the 1980�?1 season.

PSG, who won their maiden Ligue 1 title in 1985�?6, have bagged eight of their 10 league titles since winning their third domestic title in 2012�?3.

Ligue 1 winners list

2021�?022: Paris Saint Germain

2020�?021: Lille

2019�?020: Paris Saint Germain

2018�?019: Paris Saint Germain

2017�?018: Paris Saint Germain

2016�?017: Monaco

2015�?016: Paris Saint Germain

2014�?015: Paris Saint Germain

2013�?014: Paris Saint Germain

2012�?013: Paris Saint Germain

2011�?012: Montpellier

2010�?011: Lille

2009�?010: Marseille

2008�?009: Bordeaux

2007�?008: Lyon

2006�?007: Lyon

2005�?006: Lyon

2004�?005: Lyon

2003�?004: Lyon

2002�?003: Lyon

2001�?002: Lyon

2000�?001: Nantes

1999�?000: Monaco

1998�?999: Bordeaux

1997�?998: RC Lens

1996�?997: Monaco

1995�?996: Auxerre

1994�?995: Nantes

1993�?994: Paris Saint Germain

1992�?993: unattributed

1991�?992: Marseille

1990�?991: Marseille

1989�?990: Marseille

1988�?989: Marseille

1987�?988: Monaco

1986�?987: Bordeaux

1985�?986: Paris Saint Germain

1984�?985: Bordeaux

1983�?984: Bordeaux

1982�?983: Nantes

1981�?982: Monaco

1980�?981: Saint-Étienne

1979�?980: Nantes

1978�?979: Strasbourg

1977�?978: Monaco

1976�?977: Nantes

1975�?976: Saint-Étienne

1974�?975: Saint-Étienne

1973�?974: Saint-Étienne

1972�?973: Nantes

1971�?972: Marseille

1970�?971: Marseille

1969�?970: Saint-Étienne

1968�?969: Saint-Étienne

1967�?968: Saint-Étienne

1966�?967: Saint-Étienne

1965�?966: Nantes

1964�?965: Nantes

1963�?964: Saint-Étienne

1962�?963: Monaco

1961�?962: Stade de Reims

1960�?961: Monaco

1959�?960: Stade de Reims

1958�?959: Nice

1957�?958: Stade de Reims

1956�?957: Saint-Étienne

1955�?956: Nice

1954�?955: Stade de Reims

1953�?954: Lille

1952�?953: Stade de Reims

1951�?952: Nice

1950�?951: Nice

1949�?950: Bordeaux

1948�?949: Stade de Reims

1947�?948: Marseille

1946�?947: Roubaix-Tourc

1945�?946: Lille

1938�?939: Sète

1937�?938: Sochaux

1936�?937: Marseille

1935�?936: R. Colombes 92

1934�?935: Sochaux

1933�?934: Sète

1932�?933: O.Lillois

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / FRANCK FIFE

Marseille host Lyon in the latest edition of the Choc des Olympiques on matchday 35 of Ligue 1 2021-22 at Stade Velodrome on Monday, May 2. The match will kick off at 12:15 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).

Marseille’s only absentees for the 104th derby clash in the league are Leonardo Balerdi and Konrad de la Fuente, who are recovering from season-ending injuries.

Lyon, on the other hand, saw centre-back Damien Da Silva pick up a muscular problem in the 5-2 win over Montpellier, and he joins Jason Denayer, Lenny Pintor, Rayan Cherki and Sinaly Diomande on the treatment table.

Marseille vs Lyon odds for Ligue 1 2021-22

Marseille: 2.28

Lyon: 2.98

Draw: 3.60

Click here to check football betting odds.

Note: Odds are subject to change.

Marseille vs Lyon recent form

Jorge Sampaoli’s men are coming on the back of a 2-3 loss against Feyenoord in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final. As far as the league is concerned, Marseille have lost just one of their last seven matches in Ligue 1 and will eye a win to strengthen their hopes for a second-place finish.

Lyon, coached by Peter Bosz, have three wins in their last 10 matches across all competitions, but come into the derby fixture following a morale-boosting 5-2 victory over Montpellier.

Marseille: L, W, W, L, W

Lyon: W, L, W, L, D

Marseille vs Lyon head-to-head

Lyon have the overall edge in the Choc des Olympiques head-to-head against Marseille across all competitions, claiming 41 wins in 119 matches.

As far as Ligue 1 is concerned, Les Gones have defeated Marseille in 35 of the 103 meetings between the teams. Marseille have 28 wins while 40 matches have ended without a winner.

Marseille have lost just two of their last five meetings against Lyon at the Stade Velodrome. Their recent game at home was a 1-1 draw in the 2020-21 season.

In the last five head-to-head, Lyon have won two matches including a 2-1 home win against Marseille.

Marseille vs Lyon prediction and betting tips for Ligue 1 2021-22

Marseille are the outright favourites to win this fixture. Les Phocéens�?position on the Ligue 1 points table is one of the primary reasons why the odds of victory are in their favour.

But, Lyon will be no simple pushovers, considering Moussa Dembele has 16 Ligue 1 goals with four coming in his last three matches.

Featured photo: AFP / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will host Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes for their Ligue 1 2021-22 Matchday 32 clash in the wee hours of Monday, April 18. The match will kick off at 12:15 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).

While the star-studded PSG outfit has not been at their very best in the ongoing Ligue 1 season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side is still leading the standings with 71 points from 31 matches. PSG have registered 22 wins, five draws and four defeats in Ligue 1 2021-22 so far.

On the other hand, Marseille have been in impressive form recently, securing four consecutive wins in Ligue 1 - their best run in the top-tier French League since December 2020. Under Argentine manager Jorge Sampaoli, Marseille are currently placed second in Ligue 1 standings with 59 points from 31 matches, 12 points behind PSG.

PSG vs Marseille odds for Ligue 1 2021-22

PSG: 1.34

Marseille: 7.60

Draw: 5.80

Click here to check football betting tips.

Note: Odds are subject to change.

PSG vs Marseille recent form

PSG will be brimming with confidence after thrashing Clermont Foot 6-1 at the Stade Gabriel Montpied in their previous Ligue 1 encounter. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe netted hat-tricks in the fixture while Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick of assists.  

Meanwhile, Marseille pipped PAOK FC 1-0 in their second leg encounter of the Europa Conference League quarter-final tie as they secured their place in the semis with a scoreline of 3-1 on aggregate. In the Ligue 1, Marseille defeated Montpellier 2-0 in their previous fixture on Monday.

Last five matches in Ligue 1

PSG: W, W, L, W, L

Marseille: W, W, W, W, L

PSG vs Marseille head-to-head

PSG and Marseille have faced each other 85 times in the Ligue 1, with both sides winning 32 games apiece.

In their last 54 matches, however, PSG have dominated Marseille, winning 31 of those matches. Marseille have secured just 12 wins in these matches.

Furthermore, PSG have suffered just a solitary home defeat against Marseille in 11 matches.

PSG vs Marseille prediction for Ligue 1 2021-22 

Both PSG and Marseille have been in impressive form going into Monday’s Ligue 1 encounter. As PSG are unbeaten in their last 18 matches at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1, they will start as overwhelming favourites against Marseille and hence, have odds in their favour.

Featured photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) visit Marseille (MAR) for the latest edition of the ‘Le Classique�?in 2021-22 Ligue 1 season at the Orange Velodrome on Monday, October 25. The game will kick off at 12:15 AM IST.

MAR vs PSG Dream11 Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain arrive at Marseille with momentum on their side, with nine wins in 10 league games. The Parisiens, who have lost just one Le Classique since 2011, are bolstered with the availability of Neymar and will hope to put a halt to the plans of a free-scoring Marseille.

Les Olympiens, who average two goals in all home games this term, have lost just one of their last 13 Ligue 1 matches at the Stade Velodrome. Sitting third on the points table, Jorge Sampaoli’s men returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Lorient and will fancy a quality performance to derail the form of the nine-time league champions.

MAR vs PSG Dream11 team tips for Ligue 1 2021-22

Top tip: Best forward

Despite the presence of Lionel Messi and the returning Neymar, Kylian Mbappe has been the chief outlet of goals for Paris Saint-Germain. The France superstar has five goals and four assists in ten Ligue 1 outings and has tallied the maximum fantasy points - 466 points.

Top tip: Best midfielder

If there is anyone who can bail out a win for Marseille, it is Dimitri Payet. The attacking midfielder, who has stacked five goals and four assists in six league games, can press his way past the likes of Ander Herrera and set the tone for Arkadiusz Milik to strike past Keylor Navas.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Achraf Hakimi’s ability as an attacking defender makes him the obvious choice in the defensive slot. The right-back has registered three goals and two assists this season and could be an asset for fantasy players with regards to a goalscoring defender.

When it comes to goalkeepers, Keylor Navas is the first-choice pick. While the PSG custodian has been rewarded with 161 fantasy points, it must be known that his counterpart, Pau Lopez has kept more clean sheets (three) than the former (two) in Ligue 1. Hence, choose wisely.

MAR vs PSG probable playing XI

MAR playing XI (probable):  Pau Lopez (goalkeeper); William Saliba, Duje Caleta-Car, Luan Peres; Pol Lirola, Boubacar Kamara, Matteo Guendouzi, Konrad De la Fuente; Gerson, Dimitri Payet (captain); Arkadiusz Milik

PSG playing XI (probable): Keylor Navas (goalkeeper); Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (captain), Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes; Ander Herrera, Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye; Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi

SportsAdda brings you Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain live score.

Featured photo: AFP / Nicolas Tucat

Monday's decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to lift a two-season ban on Manchester City from European competitions imposed by UEFA is the latest twist in the tumultuous history of European football's governing body's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

Here, we look back at other clubs who have come under FFP's microscope.

- Malaga -

In 2012 the Spanish side become the first outfit to be banned from European competitions for FFP breaches after an exclusion for overdue transfer payments.

They were bought by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani, a member of the Qatar ruling family, in 2010 and reached the Champions last eight three years later after signing players such as former Brazil international Julio Baptista, Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla and current Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

The La Rosaleda club are now fighting for their safety in the Spanish second tier.

- AC Milan -

The seven-time European champions were barred from continental competitions in 2019 because of losses of 500 million euros ($566 million) despite qualifying for the Europa League.

Two years earlier they were saved from a ban by CAS as the club was sold by Silvio Berlusconi to Chinese businessman Li Yonghong who then unloaded the San Siro giants to the American investment fund Elliott.

The Rossoneri have failed to reach the Champions League for the past six campaigns and are set to miss out again on the top-tier continental competition next season.

- Paris Saint-Germain -

Bought by the sovereign Qatar Sport Investment group in 2011 the Ligue 1 champions have been suspected of financial doping due to overly-inflated sponsorship deals.

The Parisians' signings of Neymar for a world-record fee of 222 million euros and Kylian Mbappe in 2017 caught the attention of UEFA.

PSG are now attempting to decrease their dependance of financial support from Qatar and in March 2019 CAS said the investigation into the club was closed.

- Red Star, Dynamo Moscow, Galatasary -

The Serbians were banned from the Champions League in 2014 because of unpaid bills before beating eventual winners Liverpool on their return to the group stage last season.

A year later Dynamo Moscow had their qualification for the Europa League scrapped for failing to comply with FFP rules and have now returned to the Russian Premier League after one season in the second tier.

In 2016 Galatasary were handed the same sanction for also failing to comply to UEFA's regulations and have won the Turkish league twice since then.

- Marseille -

Despite the club being purchased by US businessman Frank McCourt in 2016, the French club's finances remain in trouble.

In June, the 1993 Champions League winners were fined three million euros for exceeding a maximum financial deficit.

They will also only receive 85 percent of the prize money for their participation in continental competitions for the next two seasons and saw their European squad limited to 23 players until 2022-2023.

OM will return to the top table of European football next season for the first time since 2014 after finishing second in Ligue 1.

- The others -

Clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Fenerbahce have also come under UEFA's microscope and have been handed various punishments.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Fabrice Coffrini

The decision to end the French Ligue 1 season early brought celebrations in Marseille, who are looking forward to a return to the Champions League thanks to the fine work done by coach Andre Villas-Boas, but it remains to be seen if he will stay at a club with major financial problems.

Marseille were second when the season was suspended in mid-March with 10 games remaining. They were well behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain but well clear of the chasing pack, so nobody disputes they are worthy runners-up after the French government dashed hopes of the campaign restarting.

In an Instagram post, Villas-Boas called it an "extraordinary achievement". Marseille have not been in the Champions League since 2013, but they had finished fifth last season under Rudi Garcia and Villas-Boas knew he was arriving at a club with little money to spend.

View this post on Instagram

À nos magiciens . Merci

A post shared by André Villas-Boas (@officialandrevillasboas) on May 5, 2020 at 1:23pm PDT

He had to do without arguably Marseille's best player, the winger Florian Thauvin, for almost the whole campaign because of injury, but the Portuguese has breathed new life into the careers of Dimitri Payet and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

In addition, he has got the best out of those new faces who did come in, like Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez and ex-Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto.

The former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach has rebuilt his own reputation by reviving a club that is wildly popular across France and remains the country's only winners of the Champions League having taken the inaugural edition in 1993.

Now, a decade after they last won Ligue 1, they are heading back to Europe's top table, but their ability to compete with the continent's best is in doubt because of their financial situation, and there is uncertainty surrounding Villas-Boas's future as a result.

"I am very happy in Marseille. I don't want to look for another club. I don't want to go back to the Premier League," the 42-year-old told RMC radio from his native Portugal, where he has been spending lockdown.

"I obviously want to go into the Champions League with Marseille, but...if the conditions are not there for us to do a good job, I don't think it's worth it."

UEFA sanctions loom

Spending since American tycoon Frank McCourt -- the former Los Angeles Dodgers owner -- bought the club in 2016 has been way beyond the limits set out in UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.

They lost 91 million euros ($98m) last season and that will be compounded by further losses this season, made worse by the coronavirus crisis.

UEFA announced in March that Marseille had been referred to the adjudicatory chamber of their Club Financial Control Body for not complying with an agreement to balance their books.

The club had already signed a "settlement agreement" which set out that Marseille would have to play with a reduced squad in their next European campaign and pay back up to four million euros of any prize money.

Now further sanctions are inevitable, with sports daily L'Equipe suggesting they could even be excluded from the next Champions League.

"When I bought OM, I knew there would be highs and lows," said McCourt recently, emphasising his "long-term vision".

With a wage bill last season of 127 million euros, Marseille must sell players, and want those who remain to accept pay cuts. Villas-Boas says he needs a competitive team if he is to stay.

He also wants to be sure sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, the ex-Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper, stays before committing to a second season at the Velodrome, even if he is settled on France's Mediterranean coast.

"I want to understand more or less where we are going, how much we can invest. Whether the club wants me, or if they don't, in which case it will not be a problem," said Villas-Boas, who is due back in France next week.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Gerard Julien