This Sunday, there will be a fragrance of the Champions League in Ligue 1. Current third in the championship, Rennes will welcome Montpellier (8th) at 5 p.m. A few hours later, at the end of the 28th day, Lille (4th) will receive Lyon (7th) at 9 p.m. If everything can change this weekend, these four teams, to which are added Reims and Nice (5th and 6th with one more game) as well as Monaco (9th), will undoubtedly have a good battle to grab the last step of the podium, potentially qualifying for the best of European football.
Rennes (3rd, 47 points)
Why they can believe it: After a month of December crowned with success, Julien Stéphan's men alternated the good and the less good in 2020 but remain on a solid dynamic with two consecutive victories. The people of Rennes are mainly riding a positive wave unprecedented in the past year and have a perfect opportunity to push a direct competitor to 10 points.
Why it can get stuck: Eduardo Camavinga's partners are still too irregular. The poor performance against Marseille (0-1) and Brest (0-0) recently mitigated the idea of an impregnable Roazhon Park. Sixth best home team, the Rennais have the second worst record on their land of our competitors, after Lyon.
Rather favorable calendar: After Montpellier, Stade Rennais will have the luxury of hosting all of its direct competitors, starting with Lyon (March 21). With the exception of a trip to the Parc des Princes, the Reds and Blacks will visit teams within their reach.
Lille (4th, 46 points)
Why they can believe it : Surprising but exciting second last year, the “Mastiffs” stayed on 5 victories in 6 matches before welcoming Lyon. Renato Sanches is the symbol of a rediscovered team, shaped by a clever blend of youth and experience, as evidenced by the doublet Osimhen (21) - Rémy (33) in front. Third best team at home, the LOSC has lost only against Paris and Marseille on its soil and while the team had the reputation of bad travel, it remains on three consecutive victories in displacement.
Why it can get stuck: An eleven guy seems to have been installed by Christophe Galtier. If the team is doing well at the moment, possible injuries or suspensions could break the dynamics. Also be careful to keep good form on the move while the Northerners will move to Metz, Nîmes and Saint-Etienne before the end, teams that will play their all-out at the bottom of the table.
Favorable calendar: Very strong at Pierre-Mauroy, Lille will receive Lyon then Monaco before competing with teams from the middle or even at the bottom of the table. With the exception of Montpellier (April 5), Lille will travel to teams with their ropes.
Reims (5th, 41 points, one more game)
Why they can believe it: To play the spoilsport, the Champenois will bet on their rearguard whose solidity is no longer to be proven. Best defense of the championship (21 goals conceded), its Serbian goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic is the symbol, still decisive Saturday by stopping a penalty (1-0 against Brest).
Why it can get stuck: Rémi Oudin's departure for Bordeaux does not serve the offensive interests of Stade de Reims, which, unlike its defensive ranking, has the second worst offensive record in Ligue 1 (after Toulouse with 26 goals) . While Cafaro and Sierhuis are still injured and Zeneli only takes over, the offensive animation from Reims seems a bit tight.
Unfavorable calendar: The Stade de Reims will move to direct competitors for C1 (Lyon, Montpellier, Lille) and will also have to face the first two of the championship at home (Paris then Marseille on the last day).
Nice (6th, 41 points, one more game)
Why they can believe it: Individuals in Nice can make a difference at any time. Witness the victorious double of Kasper Dolberg against Monaco on Saturday (2-1). Alexis Claude-Maurice, Adam Ounas or even Pierre Lees-Melou and Wylan Cyprien in the middle can create the danger. Patrick Vieira's Gym is unpredictable, and solid on his land.
Why it can get stuck: If they are unpredictable, the Aiglons are also irregular. The Gym is dependent on the form (or even the presence) of its individualities. Behind, Dante and his friends do not constitute an insurmountable wall (38 goals conceded, second worst record of our competitors after Monaco).
Unfavorable calendar: the Gym is preparing to undergo several complicated trips (Paris, Dijon, Lille and Marseille) but will have affordable receptions.
Lyon (7th, 40 points)
Why they can believe it: The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes is at the origin of the revival of OL. In the midst, the Brazilian sublimates and puts his partners in tune, the Lyon game seems metamorphosed. A dynamic seems to be well underway after the victories over Juventus and Saint-Etienne in the derby. Above all, the “Gones” are specialists in frenzied final sprints…
Why it can get stuck: Irregular these Lyonnais. In the intensity first, the men of Rudi Garcia are struggling to return from the locker room. The turnover that does not exist during the last three matches does not help. At home then, OL have the worst record of the teams mentioned and point to 14th place (5 wins for 4 draws and as many defeats), unworthy of their standing and a contender for the podium. Facing the top 4, zero points for OL in five games.
Theoretically unfavorable calendar: Lyon will receive six times until the end of the season, three times in a row in April but will compete with direct competitors (Marseille, Monaco, Montpellier) and its propensity to become disillusioned at home and against the big ones inspires not trust, in addition to travel to Lille and Rennes.
Montpellier (8th, 40 points)
Why they can believe it: As for Lille, Montpellier have lost only twice on their field (Rennes and PSG) and are the 2nd best team at home. While the Delort-Laborde duo is still as effective (15 goals), the addition of Téji Savanier (6 goals this season, best passer last year) has come to perfect an ambitious workforce. After three months missed on injury, the return to competition of the former Nîmes is timely, evidenced by his double against Strasbourg last Saturday (3-0).
Why it can get stuck: On paper, the Hérault workforce is the least experienced and de facto the least well-suited for the final sprint meeting. The lack of turnover in 3-4-1-2 by Michel Der Zakarian could also weigh on the legs at the end of the season.
Unfavorable timetable: For the last 11 matches, the MHSC will travel 6 times. 16th away team, the partners of veteran Hilton count there only one victory (Amiens, 19th of L1). It will be necessary to capitalize on the Mosson, especially during the reception of Lille (April 5).
Monaco (9th, 40 points)
Why they can believe it: Undeniably, the Monegasque workforce has all the assets necessary on an individual level to carry out the fight for the podium. In particular his international center-forward Wissam Ben Yedder (17 goals this season).
Why it can get stuck: The last minute setback against the Nice rival on Saturday (2-1) shatters the hopes of the Principality club in the Champions League, it is undeniable. The lack of regularity of Monegasques, who sometimes find themselves quickly overwhelmed by events, also plays against them.
Unfavorable timetable: The average assessment at home and outside the ASM leaves little room for forecasting. However, his calendar outside his base promises to be dantesque with trips to Lille, Lyon, Marseille and finally Rennes.
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- Ligue 1 ranking