Paris Saint-Germain: 5 Teams Who Can Challenge PSG for the Ligue 1 Title

With the money flowing through PSG in the form of player transfers, it is no surprise the capital outfit are heavy favorites to take home the Ligue 1 title.

Ligue 1 has never been a high spending league, and is more known as a selling league. The financial difference between PSG and its competitors is a huge advantage. This advantage should easily translate into a serious run of silverware.

Despite this distinct advantage in finances and overall talent, there are teams who could block PSG's path to the title.

Montpellier

The defending champions may have lost golden boot winner Olivier Giroud to Arsenal, but they managed to hold onto Younes Belhanda. The creative midfielder is the engine that drives the Montpellier attack.

Along with retaining his services, Montpellier has added to their attack by bringing in South American hitman Herrera, and former Nice midfielder Mounier. Herrera will have large shoes to fill for the departed Giroud, but should have some pressure relieved by the presence of John Utaka, Belhanda, and Mournier. The defense from their title run remains intact.

Olympique Lyon

Olympique Lyon has had an interesting summer. It was thought that star keeper Hugo Lloris would be off to a bigger club, and that other longtime stars would be jettisoned. None of this came to fruition, and Lyon is stocked with the same group that under-achieved in claiming fourth place last season.

With Lloris holding down the defensive end, players like Lopez, Gomis, and Gourcuff look to ignite the attack. Lyon has both experience and talent. They also have been together for several seasons, and could present a major roadblock to PSG's title run.

Lille OSC

Lille OSC fell from the top spot to a third place finish last season.

Gone is Eden Hazard who took his talents to Chelsea. In his place is French international Marvin Martin, and former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou. Adding both players will offset the loss of the impressive Hazard.Martin's field awareness, and passing ability will work well in Lille's open attack. Kalou should give LOSC the experience and variety in attack they will need to put pressure on PSG.

With a solid core of players still remaining from their run of success the last few seasons, Lille is poised to continue their fine run of form. The money from the Hazard transfer and their Champions League appearance has been used wisely to this point to strengthen the entire roster instead of trying to get a single star. With the opening of their new stadium this season, expect LOSC to give their fans plenty to cheer about.

Olympique Marseille

Didier Deshamps left the southern coast of France to take on the headache known as the French National team. Left behind is a team that failed to find any consistent rhythm, and fell to a disappointing 10th place finish.

While many may be down on the former champions, this is a team that should not be swept away. Steve Mandanda is an exceptional goalkeeper, the Ayew brothers and Loic Remy are capable attackers and Alou Diarra is still a force in the midfield. All the pieces are still there to catapult them back to the top.

But the biggest dark horse could be Andre-Pierre Gignac. The high-priced striker has yet to live up to the lofty expectations that followed him to Marseille. If he can remain healthy, and find his form, Marseille will be a handful to deal with.

As Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne was in competition for a spot in European competition until the last day of the season. Les Verts boast a young core of players who were relied upon heavily to get to a 7th place finish.

With their young defense a year smarter, and the reliability of keeper Ruffier, ASSE will be tough to score on. Their offense still has the explosive talents of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Saint-Etienne kept their nucleus together this summer, and added some good depth and potential upgrades to their roster. The addition of Caen playmaker Romain Hamouma is the piece Saint-Etienne were lacking in their attack last season.

ASSE is a dark horse to challenge for the title, but could be a thorn in PSG's side before it is all said and done.