Ligue 1 strategically positions PSG and Monaco matches around crucial Champions League playoff ties, ensuring balanced preparation.

PARIS (AP) — Old rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille come back to Ligue 1 with a sour taste after completing the Champions League phase. Reigning European champion PSG was dull in attack in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle that dropped Luis Enrique's side out of the top eight and into the playoffs.

PSG were held 1-1 by Newcastle and must go through the play-offs. Monaco drew 0-0 with Juventus and will join them. The two sides could meet in that round. Top eight qualifiers: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting, Manchester City.

Live coverage of the Paris Saint-Germain vs. AS Monaco Uefa Champions League game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Real Madrid faces an immediate rematch with Benfica after the teams were drawn together in the Champions League playoffs on Friday. Benfica beat Madrid 4-2 on Wednesday to deny the 15-time European champion direct qualification to the round of 16 and force it into the uncertainty of the playoffs.

Real Madrid were handed a quick rematch with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the draw for the Champions League play-off round yesterday, while reigning

Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 20GFFN editor-in-chief Luke Entwistle, and sub-editors Raphaël Jucobin and Bastien Cheval face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. This