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Ousmane Dembélé, last season's Ligue 1 top scorer, enters the new season as the favourite to do it again. Decisive in key moments and consistent throughout the year, the Paris winger will once again be the man to beat.
Behind him, several ambitious candidates are ready to shake up the hierarchy. At Monaco, Mika Biereth established himself as one of the attacking sensations of 2025, scoring goal after goal with impressive ease. Mason Greenwood, who is on the rise, is also a serious contender, while Georges Mikautadze is looking to establish himself as Olympique Lyonnais' attacking leader.
The battle for Ligue 1's top scorer promises to be a lively one throughout the season, with both expected challengers and possible surprises.
Ousmane Dembélé, the metamorphosis of a long-criticised talent
Who could have imagined it just two years ago? Ousmane Dembélé, often criticised for his inconsistency, inefficiency and repeated injuries, has become Paris Saint-Germain 's lethal weapon. Repositioned as number 9 by Luis Enrique, the supersonic winger has undergone a spectacular transformation. The Spanish coach has succeeded in turning a talented but inconsistent player into a reliable goalscorer, capable of carrying the team at key moments.
With 21 goals last season, Dembélé enjoyed the best season of his career, making a major contribution to PSG's historic treble, including their Champions League triumph. Now, he is no longer just a creator of imbalance, but a genuine finisher. His consistency and new-found efficiency make him not only the favourite to retain his title as Ligue 1's top scorer, but also a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or.
While the capital club have no plans to recruit a professional centre-forward, Dembélé will once again carry much of the attacking load. And with the Parisian arsenal around him, he could well continue to break the statistics.
Ousmane Dembélé top scorer: 11/4 @ bet365
Mason Greenwood, a fearsome striker with a controversial background
At 23, Mason Greenwood remains a player whose career has been marked by controversy. A former Manchester United and English football star, his career was halted by a domestic violence scandal that tarnished his image and made him a persona non grata in the Premier League. After a decent loan spell at Getafe, the striker joined Olympique de Marseille where his arrival drew much criticism.
In sporting terms, Greenwood has responded to the challenge. Placed in a creative attacking role, he quickly became OM's attacking leader and ended the 2024-25 season with 21 goals in Ligue 1, displaying regular effectiveness despite a few lapses.
Barring any surprises at the transfer market, Greenwood will continue with Marseille in 2025-26, in an attacking sector strengthened by Amine Gouiri, who arrived last winter, and the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In such an environment, he is a serious contender for the top scorer award.
Mason Greenwood top scorer: 3/1 @ bet365
Mika Biereth, the revelation from the Rock
What a coup for AS Monaco. Having arrived from Sturm Graz during the season, Mika Biereth has established himself in a flash as one of Ligue 1's most formidable strikers. He made his mark by becoming the first player in 70 years to score 10 goals in his first 7 games in the French top flight, a record that perfectly illustrates his immediate impact.
With a total of 13 goals in 16 games, the Danish striker ended his half-season with impressive statistics. The 2025-26 season will be an opportunity to see him prove his worth over the long term, in a competitive and ambitious Monaco team, where he is already emerging as a natural candidate for the top scorer award.
Mika Biereth top scorer: 12/1 @ bet365
Georges Mikautadze, a striker to keep an eye on
At the dawn of the 2025/26 season, Georges Mikautadze is a credible bet in the race for Ligue 1's top scorer. At the age of 24, the Georgian striker is coming off an encouraging first season in the colours of OL, scoring 11 league goals. After an unsuccessful spell with Ajax in 2023 (6 games, 0 goals), he returned to Metz at the start of 2024, scoring 11 goals in 17 games.
His performances convinced Lyon to invest in him last summer. A year later, with the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, Mikautadze finds himself thrust into the centre of Lyon's attacking plans. If he can make the most of this new responsibility, he could well become one of the league's top scorers.
Georges Mikautadze top scorer: 20/1 @ bet365
Amine Gouiri, already an indispensable addition for OM
Amine Gouiri arrived at Olympique de Marseille this winter for 22 million euros and has been quick to make up for a disappointing first half of the season with Rennes. Repositioned as a No9 by Roberto De Zerbi, he immediately rediscovered his effectiveness in front of goal and established himself as a key component of Marseille's attack.
With 10 goals in 14 Ligue 1 games in his new colours, the Algerian international has fully justified Marseille's investment. His combination with Greenwood and his eye for goal make him a major asset for OM. In a squad that has been strengthened in the transfer market and is ambitious, Gouiri should once again occupy the centre-forward role, with the firm intention of challenging for the top scorer award.
Amine Gouiri top scorer: 14/1 @ bet365
Ligue 1 top scorers by season (2016-2025)
2024-2025: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) & Mason Greenwood (OM): 21 goals
2023-2024: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 27 goals
2022-2023: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 29 goals
2021-2022: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 28 goals
2020-2021: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 27 goals
2019-2020: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) & Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco) - 18 goals (season stopped after 28 matches)
2018-2019: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 33 goals
2017-2018: Edinson Cavani (PSG) - 28 goals
2016-2017: Edinson Cavani (PSG) - 35 goals
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The odds presented, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.