Paris Saint-Germain only needs a draw in Strasbourg to formalize its eleventh title of champion of France, Saturday evening.
The final verdict is near. Many issues could be definitively sealed during the 37th and penultimate day of Ligue 1, Saturday May 27. At the end of these ten meetings, all scheduled for 9 p.m., the identity of the future champion, the qualifiers for the European Cup and the last team relegated to Ligue 2 could indeed be formalized.
The race for the title: Paris is almost there
Even on alternating current, PSG (84 points) is a hair’s breadth from winning its eleventh French championship title, a record. If mathematically, Lens (78 points) retains hope, the final outcome is beyond doubt: Paris has a six-point lead and a much higher goal difference (+50 against +34). The only question concerns the date of formalization of the coronation. Will PSG bend the case in Strasbourg on Saturday, or will it extend the semblance of suspense until the last day, for which it will receive Clermont?
Anyway, the Parisians are the only masters of their destiny, since a draw in Alsace is enough for them. A defeat could even prove inconsequential and ensure them the title, if Lens does not win against Ajaccio.
The fight for Europe: Can Monaco lose everything?
A Lensoise victory would definitively validate the second place of the Sang et Or. This scenario, rather probable (Lens won 16 times out of 18 at Bollaert, Ajaccio is already relegated), would therefore force Marseille – 73 points, i.e. 5 less than the Artésiens – to play two play-off rounds to access the Champions League groups. OM, which hosts Brest, can no longer be joined by fourth-placed Monaco (65 points).
ASM, in freefall with only one success in five games, could even lose everything. He indeed goes to Rennes, sixth (62 points) but with the goal difference boosted by his last two river victories and largely superior to that of the Monegasques (+27 against +15). A defeat at Rennes combined with a success for Lille (fifth, 63 units) against Nantes would thus relegate Monaco to sixth place, non-European.
Since the foundations of the Rock are unstable, Lille and Rennes are looking up and aiming for fourth and fifth places, respectively qualifying for the Europa League and the Europa League conference. Accounting, Lyon (7th, 59 points, +17) remains in the race but needs a great combination of circumstances. He must first ensure against Reims at home.
The battle for maintenance: Nantes-Auxerre, duel at a distance
Officially, they are still three likely to accompany Angers, Ajaccio and Troyes in the elevator. But in fact, Strasbourg (15th, 39 points, -7) is almost guaranteed to stay in the top flight, even if its reception from PSG is not a gift. The last jump seat for Ligue 2 will thus be played between Nantes (17th, 33 points, -18) and Auxerre (16th, 34 units, -26). The Canaries could ratify their relegation on Saturday, if they lose in Lille and if AJA wins in Toulouse.
This scenario is not science fiction, since Losc has not lost at home since August and is aiming for a European place, while Téfécé is six games at the Stadium without a win and has not scored. since the Coupe de France final. Nantes, however, has a better goal difference and a more lenient schedule: it will receive Angers (20th) on the last day, while Auxerre will host Lens (2nd). Still need to stay alive until then.
Top scorer: Mbappé for a record?
As if he didn’t already have enough, Kylian Mbappé is close to equaling a new record. The Parisian could end a season at the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts for the fifth time in his career, a performance only accomplished by legends Delio Onnis, Carlos Bianchi and Jean-Pierre Papin. With 28 goals, Mbappé is two steps ahead of Lyonnais Alexandre Lacazette (26 goals). Scorer in his last six L1 games, he can also beat his personal best in one season (33 in 2018-19).