Ligue 1 preview: Lille close in on third title

Lille can win their first Ligue 1 title since 1954 and complete a domestic double with victory at Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Rudi Garcia’s team secured their first piece of major silverware in 56 years after beating PSG 1-0 in the final of the Coupe de France last weekend.

With second-place Marseille drawing their most recent match at Lorient, and Lille winning 1-0 at home to Sochaux on Wednesday, they now have a six-point lead at the top of the table, with just two rounds of the season remaining.

And another win over PSG will be enough to secure what would be the third title in Lille’s history.

After that slip-up against Lorient, Marseille look all but certain to surrender their crown.

They must win at home to Valenciennes and hope Lille lose if they are to stay in contention beyond this weekend.

Lyon are third, 12 points back from Lille and out of the running for the championship.

But they are only two points clear of fourth-placed PSG and must retain third if they are to seal a berth in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Arles travel to second-last Lens, with both sides already relegated.

Monaco are third bottom, one point behind Nancy, in 17th.

Monaco won the title in 2000 and reached the Champions League final as recently as 2004.

But they could be relegated this weekend if they fail to beat Montpellier and other results go against them.

Nancy are away to Stade Rennes.

Brest, away at Auxerre, and Nice, at home to Lorient, are level on 43 points, one point better off than Nancy and still in danger of relegation themselves.

Caen, Toulouse and Valenciennes have less cause for concern, but are not mathematically safe either.

Caen travel to Champions-League chasing Lyon, Toulouse host Bordeaux and Valenciennes are away to Marseille.

In the only match with seemingly nothing at stake, sixth-placed Sochaux host ninth-placed St Etienne.