With Paris Saint-Germain already crowned French champions for the fourteenth time in their illustrious history, the focus shifts entirely to the thrilling conclusion of the Ligue 1 season this Sunday, May 17. The final matchday promises drama and uncertainty, impacting both the prestigious European qualification spots and the critical relegation playoff position.

Lille controls its european destiny

Beyond the already secured positions of Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens, an intense three-way battle is unfolding for the final direct qualification spot in the Champions League. Lille currently holds third place with 61 points, closely followed by Lyon in fourth with 60 points, and Rennes in fifth with 59 points.

The Lille players are in an enviable position, having remained undefeated since February 1st, a remarkable run of thirteen matches. This impressive form means their fate is entirely in their own hands for securing that crucial third spot. Should LOSC triumph against relegation-threatened Auxerre, their position will be unassailable. At a minimum, the northern club has already guaranteed a fifth-place finish, which ensures a place in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Lyon’s squad will be keenly watching Lille’s performance as they host Lens. A victory for Lyon against Lens, who may have one eye on their upcoming Coupe de France final against Nice next week, could at least secure them a preliminary round berth in the Champions League.

Marseille versus Rennes: a high-stakes clash

The highly anticipated encounter at the Vélodrome between Olympique Marseille and Rennes carries significant consequences for the losing side. If Stade Rennais avoids defeat, they are guaranteed a spot in the Europa League, with a win potentially leading to an even better outcome. However, a loss could relegate them to the less prestigious – and less lucrative – Europa Conference League. Rennes, under coach Franck Haise, has recently suffered two setbacks against direct European rivals, falling to Lille (2-1) and Lyon (4-2). Meanwhile, Marseille’s coach Habib Beye, returning to the club that dismissed him in February, faces even greater pressure.

After a season marked by numerous sporting and off-field twists, Marseille, who narrowly defeated Le Havre following a poor performance against Nantes, must strive for more than their current sixth position. Yet, a defeat could spell disaster for Marseille: Monaco, sitting seventh and just two points behind OM, could leapfrog the Olympians and push them out of all European contention if they secure a victory against Strasbourg.

The relegation playoff battle: Le Havre, Auxerre, or Nice

While Metz and Nantes have already been relegated to Ligue 2 for the upcoming season, three clubs are locked in a desperate struggle to avoid the dreaded relegation playoff spot: Le Havre (14th, 32 points), Auxerre (15th, 31 points), and Nice (16th, 31 points).

Despite an early goal from Sofiane Diop (2-1), Auxerre managed a crucial victory over Nice last week, buying themselves a lifeline. However, the AJA now faces the daunting task of traveling to play Lille. Paradoxically, Nice, currently occupying the playoff spot, appears to have the most favorable path to safety. The Nice squad will host Metz, the league’s bottom team, who have not secured a win since November. Le Havre, on the other hand, faces a challenging away fixture against Lorient (9th), a consistently solid team. The Normans could find themselves in the playoff position if their two closest competitors for survival manage to secure wins, marking a continuous slide for Le Havre, who haven’t won a match since early February against Strasbourg.