How things stand as the race for Champions League qualification hots up in Ligue 1

Olympique Lyonnais

Rennes (H), Toulouse (A), Lens (H).

Lyon have a tough run-in on paper, although they will take comfort from the fact that the two tough games against top-four rivals will be played at home.

The trip to Toulouse also has the potential to be problematic, although it is worth noting that they now have nothing to play for.

Lyon head into the final three games level on points with Lille, but have an advantage over them after winning both their fixtures this term.

That factor could come into play at the end of the season, although Lille may feel that their perceived easier run-in tips the scales in their favour.

Lille OSC

Le Havre (H), Monaco (A), Auxerre (H).

Lille will fancy their chances of qualifying automatically for the Champions League, although they would be well-advised to take nothing for granted.

While they are the favourites to win their next home game against Le Havre, the visitors have drawn 13 matches this season.

The subsequent visit to Monaco also has the potential to be tricky, as they could still be in contention for a top-four finish when the fixture is played.

Lille’s final home game against Auxerre could still have something riding on it for both teams, adding another intriguing layer to proceedings.

Stade Rennais

Lyon (A), Paris FC (H), Marseille (A).

Four wins and a draw in their last five Ligue 1 outings have kept Rennes firmly in contention for Champions League qualification.

However, they still have to visit Lyon and Marseille, while the outcome of the home game against Paris FC is not a foregone conclusion.

Rennes will take inspiration from their away record, which currently stands at seven wins and four draws in 15 games.

Unfortunately, three of their four away defeats were against teams currently in the top seven, which does not bode well for their Champions League qualification hopes. 

Olympique de Marseille

Nantes (A), Le Havre (A), Rennes (H).

Marseille have made life extremely difficult for themselves, yet could still end the season by finishing inside the top four.

Their home record is the third-best in Ligue 1, but eight defeats in 15 outings away from the Vélodrome perfectly highlight their inconsistency.

Fixtures at Nantes and Le Havre are both winnable if Marseille produce their best form, but that is far from guaranteed to happen.

However, if they pick up six points from those two games, there would be plenty riding on their home match against Rennes on the final day.

AS Monaco

Metz (A), Lille (H), Strasbourg (A).

Monaco need to win all their remaining games and hope for an unlikely set of results elsewhere to secure qualification for the Champions League.

However, they could still grab a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, which would be a respectable way to end the season.

Monaco should pick up three points at Metz, while a home victory over Lille could set up an intriguing final-day fixture at Strasbourg.

They will be keeping a close eye on the French Cup final, where a victory for Lens would secure an additional European qualification place for Ligue 1.

GFFN | Zach Lowy