Auxerre (16th) and FC Nantes (17th) are separated by one point in the standings. Promoted applied, Auxerre holds the rope, but who knows what Nantes, moribund, guard resources? At the bottom of the standings, the 37th and 38th rounds promise to be breathless.

Nantes in a pair with Stéphane Ziani to take over from Antoine Kombouaré, before the Pierre Aristouy - Oswaldo Vizcarrondo ticket was finally retained.