The closeknit race for European football's most prestigious competition continues to heat up in Ligue 1 as the final spots in the Europa League qualification play-offs are still within reach.
Lyon and Rennes have both secured their places in the play-offs after securing victories over Montpellier and Strasbourg respectively last weekend. However, they will be facing tough opposition in Nice and Lille, who are also in contention for a spot in Europe's premier club competition.
Nice, who currently sit second in the table, will face a daunting task against Monaco at Stade Louis II on Saturday evening. The Monegasque side have already booked their place in the play-offs with a win against Troyes earlier this month, but Nice cannot afford any slip-ups if they want to make it into the top four and secure a spot in the Europa League.
On the other hand, Lille will look to bounce back from their disappointing performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France semi-finals. They will face fellow French giants Monaco at Stade Pierre Mauroy on Tuesday night, and will need to put in a strong display to avoid a repeat of their previous encounter where they lost 4-2.
Meanwhile, Lorient, who are currently third in the table, will be looking to continue their momentum by defeating bottom-of-the-table Reims at Stade de Lorient on Sunday afternoon. A victory could see them move level with Nice and Lille in terms of points, and give them a chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
Overall, the race for the Europa League spots in Ligue 1 is heating up, with all teams vying for a spot in Europe's premier club competition. With just three games remaining in the season, every match counts and every point could be crucial in determining which teams qualify for Europe's elite tournament.