PSG vs. Lens for the title, Lyon in trouble, historic four-team relegation picture: What to watch in Ligue 1

It was the first time in 62 years that Ligue 1 played on New Year's Day. The league called it their "Celebration Week" -- using this term in French and English -- to help market this exceptional period, which saw the French league hosting games on Dec.

The majority of fans didn't like it so most of the Ultras boycotted the matches and the ones who went displayed banners saying " football is for the weekend" Rennes manager Bruno Genesio was not the only one who was upset by the idea of Christmas games in France.

He told the media that he hoped theLFP executives wouldn't be at the beach on vacation. I don't believe the players are happy. It's not the same in England. It isn't the same.

Ligue 1 is back with a vengeance and should be fun. The remainder of the season will be summarized here.

Do we actually have a title race? Yes, we do!

On New Year's Day, Lens defeated Paris Saint-Germain by a score of three to one. The match was a top of the table clash and the home side took full advantage. Not only did they rely on the incredible atmosphere, but they seized on the absence of the league leaders, who were not up for the fight, and the fact that Lionel Messi was still on holiday.

The second-place team was shocked by the first-place team.

There is now only four points between the two sides and it's very much game on in terms of the title race. With no European participation on their schedule, both sides have only lost once this season, and with more time and ability to focus on the league, they have a better chance of winning.

The result on Sunday means that both of them are back in the race. They are eight points behind the leaders and four back from the second place, but they have belief and are moving in the right direction.

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It makes sense for Lionel Messi to extend his contract, but he doesn't need to hurry.

Can Lyon salvage their season? Probably not

We're not at the halfway point of the season, but it's been a long time since we've seen how little Lyon are. They were booed by their own fans after the loss to Clermont on Sunday. They have as many wins as losses this season and are twelfth in the table. After 17 matches, their goal difference is a mere +6 and they have changed managers and owners.

The amount of what they offer with the ball varies from one thing to another. Despite the return of former stars, Lyon has been frustrating despite the departure of former stars and the emergence of young talent. It would be a disaster if they missed out on Europe again.

Are Nice in trouble? Massively!

Their season has been more of a disaster than Lyon's. Nice are having a shocking campaign despite being owned by a man who is one of the richest men in the world. They are just eight points away from the bottom of the table.

It started badly with the return of Lucien Favre for a second stint on the bench, it continued with a terrible summer transfer window with old/subpar signings, and the results have not been good enough

The team has talent but no direction. The only positive news is that Florent Ghislofi was brought in to oversee their rebuild. Right now, he's Nice's only hope for a brighter future and he's one of the best in Europe.

Is the battle to stay up going to be epic? Oh yes, it will!

For the first time in the history of the French top flight, there will be four teams going down at the end of the season. The fight to stay up has never been so tense or so tight.

Angers and Troyes are both in the bottom half of the table, with Angers and Troyes separated by just ten points. Two or three wins in a row could propel you from the bottom of the table to the top.

It's likely that these won't be the four that will be demoted at the end of May. All they want is to drag the others into their fight, but they have different issues.