Top Match Round-up: Nice, Lyon and Monaco in Direct Battle for Second
While the title may have already been sealed and the league’s bottom club decided, the drama in Ligue 1 is far from over. We look ahead to the three matches to look out for in France’s top tier in a reduced gameweek 35.
Nice vs Reims - Friday, 19:30 KO
The action kicks off tonight as Champions League chasing Nice host relegation threatened Reims in a game that could have a significant bearing at both ends of the table come the end of the campaign. Claude Puel’s side have had a sensational season, technically still in with a chance of a second placed finish, just 4 points adrift of Monaco and two behind Lyon.
With 7 wins from their last 9 home matches, there is little doubt as to the star of the show. With 16 goals to his name this season, Hatem Ben Arfa is Nice’s top rated player (7.52). Reims, meanwhile, have a poor away record, picking up just one point from their last 5 matches on the road to sit only two points above the relegation zone.
Toulouse vs Lyon - Saturday, 16:30 KO
Another match up between two sides at opposite ends of the table, both desperate for points for very different reasons, sees Toulouse host Lyon. TFC find themselves second from bottom but a run of 10 points from a possible 15 has given Pascal Dupraz’s side a fighting chance. With goals in the side through Wissam Ben Yedder and Martin Braithwaite, who have 5 and 3 respectively in their aforementioned upturn in form, Toulouse can still be a threat to any side.
That’s something Lyon will be well aware of, with Ben Yedder on the scoresheet as the hosts ran out 2-1 winners in this fixture last season, but OL are in confident spirits. Bruno Genesio has masterminded a return of 17 points from the last 21 available, with Alexandre Lacazette well and truly back among the goals after a poor start to the season. 11 of the Frenchman’s 17 league goals have come since the turn of the year, and with creator in chief Nabil Fekier back fit his form shows no sign of slowing.
Rennes vs Monaco - Sunday, 20:00 KO
Monaco answered their critics with a 2-1 win over Marseille last time out to retain their spot in second, but OM can’t buy a win away from home, so Rennes may well prove sterner opposition. Leonardo Jardim’s side have been shaky on the road themselves, with their only win in 6 ironically coming over PSG, and a heavy defeat to a flying Lille side in their last away trip put their European status in jeopardy.
They face a Rennes side that has suffered heavy blows in recent weeks after an excellent run of results, though consecutive 3-0 defeats have not banished them from the race for European football next season just yet. Unbeaten in three against their visitors this Sunday, a positive result for the hosts would really blow the intense battle for places between Monaco in second and Rennes in seventh in the table wide open.
