It goes without saying that not many French football fans expected the table to look like how it presently does at the start of this season. However, from a neutral perspective, it has made for a much more entertaining title race. Last season's edition of Ligue 1 turned into a one-horse show as PSG cruised to their fourth straight title. Things indeed are very different so far this term, with Nice leading the way after 11 rounds.
Facts and Stats ahead of Ligue 1 Matchday 12
Here are five things you may or may not know ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures starting on Friday:
Ligue 1 Matchday 12 - U.S. viewing schedule
Below is the full U.S. schedule for round 12 of Ligue 1 action starting this Friday
Nov. 4: Montpellier vs Olympique Marseille on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 12:45 PM PST/3:45 PM EST
Nov. 5: Monaco vs Nancy on fuboTV, TV5 Monde USA, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 9:00 AM PST/12:00 PM EST
Nov. 5: Angers vs Lille at 12:00 PM PST/3:00 PM EST
Nov. 5: Bordeaux vs Lorient at 12:00 PM PST/3:00 PM EST
Nov. 5: Dijon vs Guingamp at 12:00 PM PST/3:00 PM EST
Nov. 5: Nantes vs Toulouse on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 12:00 PM PST/3:00 PM EST
Nov. 5: Olympique Lyonnais vs Bastia on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 12:00 PM PST/3:00 PM EST
Nov. 6: Caen vs Nice on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 6:00 AM PST/9:00 AM EST
Nov. 6: Metz vs Saint-Etienne on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST
Nov. 6: PSG vs Rennes on fuboTV, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. at 11:45 AM PST/2:45 PM EST
*For more information, please navigate to each match's specific page
Ligue 1 - Matchday 12 overview
Whilst Les Parisiens broke several records along the way in their very impressive domestic campaign last season, some feared that French football's top flight would soon become way too predictable in terms of who will ultimately win the title.
Not so much this time around. For starters, Nice have been truly impressive. They have yet to lose a game and as such enjoy a very comfortable six point gap over Monaco and reigning champs PSG. This means that regardless of whatever Les Rouges et Blancs or Les Parisiens do, Nice will head into the international break still on top of the Ligue 1 table. In terms of the race for the top scorer, Edinson Cavani leads the way, but Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette has returned to full action and is just one behind him.
Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli has been enjoying a new lease on life in France and has been quite solid for Nice. The enigmatic Italian, who is hoping to revive his career has six so far to his name. Will one or more of Cavani, Lacazette, or Balotelli add more to their total in this round?
Ligue 1 - Matchday 12 standings
Here's how things stand so far after 11 rounds in the 2016/2017 Ligue 1 season. How will it look after matchday 12 concludes?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | 30 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 73 | 26 | +47 | 69 | WWDWW | |
| 2 | Monaco | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 56 | 38 | +18 | 58 | WWWWD | |
| 3 | Brest | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 53 | LLWWD | |
| 4 | Lille | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 43 | 26 | +17 | 52 | LWWWD | |
| 5 | Nice | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 24 | +9 | 48 | DWDLW | |
| 6 | Lens | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 46 | WLDLL | |
| 7 | Rennes | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 44 | 36 | +8 | 42 | WLLLW | |
| 8 | Olympique Marseille | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 45 | 37 | +8 | 41 | DDLLL | |
| 9 | Olympique Lyonnais | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 39 | 49 | -10 | 41 | LWWDW | |
| 10 | Reims | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 40 | LLDDW | |
| 11 | Toulouse | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 36 | 39 | -3 | 37 | DWDWL | |
| 12 | Montpellier | 31 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 39 | 43 | -4 | 37 | DWDWW | |
| 13 | Strasbourg | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 33 | 41 | -8 | 36 | LWDWW | |
| 14 | Nantes | 31 | 9 | 5 | 17 | 29 | 49 | -20 | 32 | DLWLW | |
| 15 | Metz | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 31 | 49 | -18 | 29 | WWLLL | |
| 16 | Le Havre | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 27 | 38 | -11 | 28 | LLDLL | |
| 17 | Lorient | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 59 | -23 | 26 | LLLLD | |
| 18 | Clermont | 30 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 21 | 49 | -28 | 22 | LDDLW |
