The 2026-27 Ligue 1 season opened on August 23 with Troyes and Le Mans entering as the newly promoted sides after strong Ligue 2 campaigns, replacing Nantes and Metz. Pre-season models from Opta and others consistently assign the highest relegation probabilities to these two newcomers due to limited squad depth, modest transfer spending, and the typical difficulty promoted clubs face adjusting to the higher pace and physical demands. Angers, who finished 13th in 2025-26, and Le Havre also rank among the main candidates based on recent form, defensive vulnerabilities, and projected points totals in simulations. Early matchday results and ongoing roster adjustments will shape the bottom-table picture, though promoted clubs historically occupy the lower positions through much of the campaign.