Ligue 1 preview: Seven face drop on final day

Up to seven sides can be relegated from Ligue 1 when the season ends on Sunday.

With all 10 fixtures to be played at the same time, excitement aplenty is in store for fans of French football with the likes of Auxerre, Brest, Nice, Valenciennes, Caen, Nancy and Monaco all a chance to be playing in Ligue 2 next season.

Out of the seven sides, only two will play against each other with Nice’s trip to Valencinnes the pick of the final-day fixtures.

A win for either side will keep them in the top division, meaning everything is at stake at the Stade Nungesser.

Valenciennes have improved greatly in the second half of the season, having just lost two of their past 17 league matches and home ground advantage means they are favourites.

Another exciting match will take place at the Stade Louis II when Monaco host Lyon.

Monaco, who are 18th, will need a victory while Lyon – who sit two points clear of PSG in third – will be desperate to book their spot in the Champions League qualifying stages with all three points.

It sets up a hugely anticipated match as Monaco, seven-time winners of Ligue 1 and Champions League finalists in 2004, attempt to keep their place in the division.

“We’ll have to play very intelligently, because Monaco also really need the points,” Lyon’s Ederson said.

“It’ll be like a final. We have to win, and we won’t be thinking about how PSG are doing in Saint-Etienne. If we win, we don’t have to worry about anyone else.”

Other battles that will decide who stays up see 17th-placed Nancy host already-relegated Lens while Caen, in 16th, at home to Olympique Marseille.

Auxerre travel to Lorient and Brest are at home against Toulouse.

At the other end of the table, Lille will celebrate their first Ligue 1 title in 57 years in front of their home fans against Stade Rennes.

In other fixtures, Bordeaux are at home against Montpellier while PSG need a win at Saint-Etienne and a Monaco victory to wrap up third spot.