Not since 2002, and the season following Lyon's first title win, has the French Ligue 1 looked as open at the start of a campaign as it does this summer. After losing their head coach, Gerard Houllier, as well as several first-team players, the six-time French champions will undoubtedly have their work cut out if they are to maintain their record-breaking run of success.

The arrival of Alain Perrin, who led Socheaux to victory in the French Cup last year, marks the beginning of a new era for Lyon. Out have gone their media-shy but extremely influential Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa, Portuguese midfielder Tiago, and French international pair Eric Abidal and Florent Malouda.

Moreover, club president Jean-Michel-Aulas had to fight to ensure that three other influential members of the squad, Gregory Coupet, Cris and Juninho Pernambucano, signed contract extensions. The latter has, for most of the summer, been the subject of heated debate regarding his relationship with team-mates, which resulted in the Brazilian relinquishing the captain's armband.

Notwithstanding, Lyon, who have claimed the title in the last six seasons and who kick off the latest defence of their crown at home to Auxerre on Sunday evening, remain hot favourites.

Coming in to replace the outgoing players are Fabio Grosso, Nadir Belhadj, Mathieu Bodmer and Kader Keita. The key question is not so much whether the newcomers will fit in, but whether the team as a whole can adapt to Perrin's new tactical plan. The new coach has done away with the 4-1-2-3 system and returned to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation.

For now, the players have accepted the new system, and some have even welcomed it: "Personally, I like this system a lot," says striker Karim Benzema, who recently made his debut for France and who is clearly happy to see another centre forward spot available. His colleagues in defence and midfield, meanwhile, would testify that the Lyon rearguard will now be less exposed.

Marseille - the chief challenger
If the champions slip up, a number of teams will be ready to capitalise. Leading the challengers are Marseille. Having finished second last season, l'OM have lost their standout performer Franck Ribery, who has moved to Bayern Munich, but they have made good use of the money generated by his transfer. All eyes will be on France international forward Djibril Cisse, who has finalised a permanent move from Liverpool and who has, for the first time in several years, enjoyed the benefits of a full pre-season.

The chasing pack is likely to comprise five teams: Lens, Bordeaux, Rennes, Toulouse and Monaco. After the huge disappointment of just missing out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League, Lens have bounced back this summer with some major reinforcements to their squad. Following the appointment of the legendary Guy Roux, now 68, as head coach, the Sang et Or have brought in Croatian goalkeeper Vedran Runje, signed from Turkish club Besiktas, and defensive midfielder Julien Sable from Saint-Etienne.

Meanwhile, they have filled their left-back slot - a problem position for the last two seasons - with the impressive Lucien Aubey, signed from Toulouse. Completing the new arrivals are two talented Côte d'Ivoire attackers: Gauthier Kanga Akale (Auxerre) and Bonaventure Kalou (Paris Saint-Germain). With Aruna Dindane, already occupying the centre forward berth, the Lens forward line has a distinctly Ivorian feel to it, with Olivier Monterrubio completing a quartet of players from the West African country.

There is no doubt that, with such rich resources at his disposal, the old magician and master of survival Roux will be able to set his sights high. "There was already plenty of quality in the squad when I arrived at the beginning of June," he explained. "That was one of the reasons I agreed to come here, but I was also motivated by other factors - the spirit of the club and the region, the fact that the team finished fifth last season, and equally the fact that there was the chance to reshape the squad. I know exactly what can be achieved with this group of players."

Blanc steps into coaching
The first round of matches throws up the fascinating prospect of the doyen of coaches, Roux pitting his wits against Ligue 1's newest member of the profession, Laurent Blanc. After a wait of many years, the man they call 'The President' will be under close scrutiny as he finally embarks on a coaching career with Bordeaux.

"The Bordeaux squad is already in very good shape," Blanc told FIFA.com recently. "And if we can bring in two or three strong players, I think that we will have a good season. Who knows? We might turn out to be the surprise package of the championship," he added.

With the departures of Jean-Claude Darcheville, Julien Faubert and Rio Mavuba compensated by the arrival of like-for-like signings David Bellion, Mathieu Chalme and Alou Diarra, the Girondins squad has a familiar feel to it and they will certainly be regarded as serious contenders this term.

The same applies to Rennes and Toulouse, who are sure to provide an intriguing tussle in the upper echelons of the table. The team from Brittany will enjoy a slight advantage over their rivals, since they will not have the distraction of a Champions League campaign, assuming, that is, that Elie Baup's Toulouse make it through the preliminary stages of the competition.

Both teams have made only minor changes to their squads as they bid to repeat their impressive showings of last season. Rennes have signed Rod Fanni, Petter Hansson, Jerome Leroy and Mickael Pagis, while Toulouse have brought in Mauro Cetto, Jon Jonsson and Andre-Pierre Gignac. Both teams will be looking to get off to a strong start to the campaign.

Down on the Riviera, there are big hopes for next season. Monaco are hoping that the arrival of Brazilian head coach Ricardo Gomes, previously of Bordeaux, will help them rediscover their sparkle and put them back on the track to success. After two successful but quiet seasons with the Girondins, the former Paris Saint-Germain defender is keen to shake things up at his new club.

With the likes of Colombia's Juan Pablo Pino and French trio Camel Meriem, Jeremy Menez and Frederic Piquionne, bolstered by the added threat of Czech forward Jan Koller coming off the bench, the Monegasques should have what it takes to mount a real challenge.

"I've come to this club because I want to be challenging for the title," claimed Ricardo when he was unveiled as Monaco's new boss. "Ever since I arrived in France in 1991, Monaco have been up at the top. I think the current squad has the chance to get back there. The team finished strongly last season and the players are very confident. I am extremely enthusiastic about the challenge ahead."

Where now for PSG?
For many, a rejuvenated Paris Saint-Germain will be the main dark horses this season. Having endured a disappointing 2006/07 campaign, which they finished in 15th place, the Parisians know that they need to bounce back and demonstrate that they are capable of much better. "We've managed to come through what was a difficult experience," reflects PSG goalkeeper Mickael Landreau. "In my view, we have learnt from the situation, and it has not left any marks."

For the Parisians, stability is the order of the day. In addition to securing Sylvain Armand and Jerome Rothen (an erstwhile target for Lyon) on extended contracts, coach Paul Le Guen has brought in Zoumana Camara (St-Etienne), Gregory Bourillon (Rennes) and youngster Didier Digard (Le Havre) to strengthen the PSG rearguard. Without the distraction of competing in Europe, the Rouge et Bleu could well cause a few surprises.

"This season, we need to show a real desire to do well. We need to give our all and work hard for each other. We must never give up, and we must use everything we have to move forward," adds Landreau. "Unlike other teams, we cannot be certain of what lies ahead. Nobody really knows how PSG will do."

The same could be said of Lille, Le Mans, Sochaux and Saint-Etienne. All four teams showed some promise last season, and all have strengthened their squads and brought in quality replacements for the players who have moved on. The new season offers the chance for a crop of new signings to prove their worth, namely Lille pair Yohan Cabaye and Nicolas Fauvergue; Marko Basa, Romaric and Tulio De Melo of Mans; Valter Birsa and Sebastien Grax at Sochaux; and perhaps most of all, Bafetimbi Gomis, Blaise Matuidi and Dimitri Payet of Saint-Etienne. Meanwhile, great things are expected of Luis Alberto Padilla (Lille), Gervinho (Le Mans) and Nivaldo (Saint-Etienne).

Teams of whom little is expected, and who could therefore prove dangerous, include Auxerre, Lorient, Nancy, Nice and Valenciennes. None of the five have been especially active in the transfer market, making at most a few small changes to their squads - Nancy, in fact, remain completely unchanged. This could be to their advantage.

Equally little is expected of the three promoted teams - SM Caen, FC Metz and RC Strasbourg - none of whom are strangers to the top division. However, all three boast strikers who could catch the eye. Look out for Yoan Gouffran of Caen, Babacar Gueye of Metz and Strasbourg's Kevin Gameiro.

So much for the introductions, let the title race begin. After 380 matches a champion will be crowned... all will be revealed on 17 May 2008.