As PSG, crowned French champions on Wednesday, face Paris FC in the derby at Jean-Bouin, the 34th and final day of Ligue 1 on Sunday promises more twists and turns with many uncertainties for both European spots and the relegation playoff place.
Lille controls its destiny, Lyon in pursuit
Behind Paris SG and Lens, three clubs are still vying for the third and final direct qualifying spot for the Champions League: Lille (3rd, 61 points), Lyon (4th, 60 points), and Rennes (5th, 59 points).
Among the three, Lille is the only one holding all the cards to secure this third spot: if the Dogues defeat Auxerre, the playoff team, they cannot be caught. Genesio’s men are on a remarkable streak, with 13 unbeaten matches, the last loss dating back to early February, away to Lyon.
Paulo Fonseca’s players, who may have suffered a big blow in the loss to Toulouse (2-1) despite having nothing to play for, await a misstep from Lille while hosting Lens. Beaten by PSG at Bollaert (2-0), the Sang et Or likely focus on their French Cup final against Nice next week, while OL can secure at least a Champions League prelim spot with a win.
The number: 21
As Lyon has a 21% chance to finish on the podium according to Opta’s predictive tool. Lyon’s chances were at 75% before the defeat to Toulouse (2-1).
Marseille-Rennes, fate of the loser
The clash at Vélodrome between OM and Rennes could be costly for the losing side. If Rennes avoids defeat, they are assured of playing in the Europa League, or better with a victory. But a loss could push them towards the much less prestigious – and lucrative – Europa Conference League. Franck Haise’s players recently suffered two defeats to European spot contenders – Lille (2-1) and Lyon (4-2).
Habib Beye, facing the club that sacked him in February, is under even greater pressure. After a season full of ups and downs on and off the field, Marseille, winners without shining against Le Havre after a debacle against Nantes, must secure better than their 6th place. But a setback could even make Marseille lose everything: Monaco, 7th just two points behind OM, could leapfrog Marseille and exclude them from European spots with a win against Strasbourg.
Matchday 34 of Ligue 1:
Nantes – Toulouse
Lorient – Le Havre
Brest – Angers
Lille – Auxerre
Nice – Metz
Paris FC – Paris-SG
Marseille – Rennes
Strasbourg – Monaco
Lyon – Lens
Three clubs for a playoff: who will face Saint-Étienne?
With Metz and Nantes already relegated, only the playoff spot remains to be decided, with three clubs battling to avoid it: Le Havre (14th, 32 points), Auxerre (15th, 31 points), and Nice (16th, 31 points). AJA earned a reprieve by beating Nice last week despite an early goal from Sofiane Diop (2-1), but unfortunately goes away to Lille.
Ironically, Nice, currently in the playoff spot, seems well on course to stay up, hosting Metz: the bottom team hasn’t won a game since November. Le Havre, heading to a solid Lorient (9th), could pay the price for wins by their relegation rivals, after a long slide: the Normans haven’t won since early February, against Strasbourg.
/2026/06/09/6a27c753977b8047974741.jpg "Malgré les protestations, le Mexique promet une cérémonie douverture de la Coupe du monde de football dans la paix")
