With a third of the season behind us, it's time to take a look at the early-season trends in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.

After the last two rounds, the average number of goals scored per game in 2023-24 is lower than in the previous three seasons (a record three seasons with more than 1,000 goals, i.e. as many +1000 season as in the previous 40 years!) and the number of 0-0s has climbed to 14% of all games played, i.e. 15 games without a goal, including five over the last two weekends.

However, a number of indicators show that the quality of play this season in Ligue 1 Uber Eats is at a high level compared to the last ten seasons.

Quality of play: Encouraging statistics!

While Ligue 1 Uber Eats has an average of 2.49 goals per game, the number of penalties awarded this season is also down on the last eight seasons (28 vs. 50 in 22-23, with an average of 43 penalties per season over the last nine seasons). As a result, 17 fewer goals have been scored from penalties than had been at this time last season.

Similarly, the percentage of goals scored from set-pieces is down this season (26%) compared to 2022-23 (31%). It is even the lowest in the last ten seasons. As a result, the share of goals from open play is more significant.

Secondly, in the first 12 matches, the number of saves per game is the highest in the last ten seasons (6.4). This is obviously a sign that the number of shots on target per match (9) remains high over the period: the current season has the second-highest average.

Technical skill also appears to be on the rise this season, as shown by the 76.9% of passes completed inside the opposition half in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. A figure that has risen for the fourth season running...

As far as dribbling is concerned, the statistics show that the 'provocateurs' are holding their own in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. With 39 dribbles per match, 49% of which were successful, the 2023-24 season saw the second-highest total since 2014-15.

Plenty of suspense...

The suspense and intrigue in matches is a particularly important element. The number of wins by a margin of three or more goals this season is down on last year (16 vs. 22 after Matchday 12), suggesting that there is more suspense surrounding the outcome of Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches.

Likewise, the percentage of goals scored in second-half injury time has risen from 4.1% last season to 5.7% this season, the highest level for four seasons.

...in the standings too!

While last season PSG pulled off a remarkable feat by topping the Ligue 1 Uber Eats standings from the opening to the closing day of the season, in 2023-24 there have already been five different leaders in 12 rounds.

All the leaders this season: Stade Rennais (R1), AS Monaco (R2-R5, R7-R9), Stade Brestois (R6), OGC Nice (R10 and R11), PSG (R12)

At the top of the table, PSG have only just taken top spot and are just one point ahead of OGC Nice, while the Parisians had five points more than the Lens-Lorient duo a season ago at this time. By the time R12 came around in 2021-2, PSG had stunned the competition and were already eight points clear of nearest chasers Nice.

Similarly, in 2022-23 the top five were separated by nine points (PSG to OM), while this season the top five are separated by just seven points. In 2021-22, it was 12...

The strengths of Ligue 1 Uber Eats in Europe

Faced with European competition in the Big Five, French clubs are showing real competitiveness in the group stages of the three continental competitions this season.

And compared to the big leagues, Ligue 1 Uber Eats is performing well in a number of areas.

Although it has a lower average number of goals per game than Serie A (2.52), Ligue 1 Uber Eats is one of the most intense.

Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps - who included ten Ligue 1 Uber Eats players in his latest 23-man squad - referred to the 'athletic predominance' of the French league, which is reflected in the number of duels contested per match, where only La Liga does better (207 vs 203).

The same applies to the amount of pressure exerted on opponents. Ligue 1 Uber Eats is one of the most effective, with a quantity of pressing sequences that only the Bundesliga manages to match (26.6 winning pressings/match in both leagues, while the Premier League and La Liga average less than 26 and Serie A 25).

Finally, Ligue 1 Uber Eats is, along with La Liga, the European league in which teams concede the fewest passes within their own 60 metres before they take defensive action: 11.9 and 11.8 passes respectively. A sign of effective pressing and omnipresent defensive intensity.