In the midst of meltdown for several weeks, Olympique de Marseille appears to be giving up on the Champions League.
Olympique de Marseille has been going through a real nightmare for weeks. This was highlighted last weekend with a guilty defeat on the field of Lorient (2-0). A defeat that punished a lackluster performance by Habib Beye’s troops and triggered the anger of Medhi Benatia.
The situation is becoming critical for OM. While Lille, facing Nice (0-0), and AS Monaco, against Auxerre (2-2), did not take advantage of the situation, on Saturday Rennes and Olympique Lyonnais, by winning against Strasbourg and at PSG, had a successful weekend. With just four game weeks left, the Ciel et Blanc now sit in 6th place in the standings.
The race for qualification for the Champions League remains uncertain. OM is only two points behind the third place, which is directly qualifying.
However, despite Marseille benefiting from a relatively favorable schedule with two away games at Nantes and Le Havre and home matches against Nice and Rennes, statisticians are not very optimistic about the Phocéens.
According to Opta, OM is projected to finish in 6th place in the standings while OL, which has regained form at the right time, is expected to clinch the third place, just ahead of Lille, who are set to secure their spot in the Champions League playoffs. Rennes is predicted to finish 5th and validate their Europa League qualification, with AS Monaco missing out by finishing 7th. Unless Lens wins the Coupe de France, which would grant them a Europa League qualification.
As for the title race, it seems to be decided. PSG, with a four-point lead over RC Lens and five matches remaining for both teams, has a 96.3% chance of securing another French championship title.
