15 rounds into the current Ligue 1 season and the title race is still as intense as ever. Unlike last term, where PSG cruised to the league title without much fuss, Les Parisiens do not have the same kind of fear factor this time around. However, from a neutral perspective, that makes for a much more title battle in a league many had feared was becoming a one-horse race. This round will see PSG on the road against Montpellier, whilst Monaco and Nice take on Bastia and Toulouse at home respectively.
Facts and Stats ahead of Ligue 1 Matchday 16
Here are five things you may or may not know ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures starting on Friday:
Ligue 1 Matchday 16 - U.S. viewing schedule
Below is the full U.S. schedule for round 16 of Ligue 1 action starting this Friday
Dec. 2: Caen vs Dijon on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:45 AM PST/2:45 PM EST
Dec. 3: Montpellier vs PSG on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST
Dec. 3: Angers vs Lorient at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Dec. 3: Bordeaux vs Lille on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Dec. 3: Guingamp vs Nantes at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Dec. 3: Metz vs Olympique Lyonnais on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Dec. 3: Monaco vs Bastia on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Dec. 4: Rennes vs Saint-Étienne on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 6:00 AM PST/9:00 AM EST
Dec. 4: Olympique Marseille vs Nancy on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 8:00 AM PST/11:00 AM EST
Dec. 4: Nice vs Toulouse on beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV at 11:45 AM PST/2:45 PM EST
*For more information, please navigate to each match's specific page
Ligue 1 - Matchday 16 overview
Nice still lead the way, but Les Aiglons now are feeling the pressure. A once comfortable lead has been cut to one, and given that Lucien Favre's men play last, they could find themselves in third spot even before kick-off on Sunday evening. Their upcoming opponents Toulouse have had their struggles, but will be coming into their match having ended a four match winless streak. And, more important, they have managed to frustrate another title contender - PSG - when they beat Les Parisiens earlier this season.
Monaco will be eager to get back on track after having their three game winning streak snapped following a draw. Les Rouges et Blancs have scored a whopping 44 goals, which comes out to a bit less than three per game from the first 15 rounds, and they will be expected to bounce back against a Bastia side who are winless in their past five games.
Finally, as for PSG, they take on Montpellier on the road. After some stumbles, Unai Emery's men appear to be finally getting their footing, as they have won their past five games. Next up for them will be a crunch clash in the Champions League; whilst Les Parisiens have already sealed a spot in the round of 16, top spot is up for grabs and will depend on who does better on matchday six.
Ligue 1 - Matchday 16 standings
Here's how things stand so far after 15 rounds in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season. How will it look after matchday 16 concludes?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | 29 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 69 | 25 | +44 | 66 | WDWWD | |
| 2 | Monaco | 29 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 55 | 38 | +17 | 55 | WWWDW | |
| 3 | Brest | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 53 | LLWWD | |
| 4 | Lille | 29 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 43 | 25 | +18 | 52 | WWWDD | |
| 5 | Nice | 29 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 47 | WDLWL | |
| 6 | Lens | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 46 | WLDLL | |
| 7 | Rennes | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 44 | 36 | +8 | 42 | WLLLW | |
| 8 | Olympique Lyonnais | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 39 | 49 | -10 | 41 | LWWDW | |
| 9 | Olympique Marseille | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 35 | +8 | 40 | DLLLW | |
| 10 | Reims | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 40 | LLDDW | |
| 11 | Toulouse | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 36 | 39 | -3 | 37 | DWDWL | |
| 12 | Montpellier | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 38 | 42 | -4 | 36 | WDWWL | |
| 13 | Strasbourg | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 33 | 41 | -8 | 36 | LWDWW | |
| 14 | Nantes | 30 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 28 | 48 | -20 | 31 | LWLWL | |
| 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 | 29 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 35 | 55 | -20 | 26 | LLLDL | |
| 18 | Clermont | 30 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 21 | 49 | -28 | 22 | LDDLW |
