Marseille set to seal title win

Marseille set to seal title win

Marseille could be crowned Ligue 1 champions on Wednesday night.

By the time OM take on Rennes in the late game, they will already know if Auxerre have managed to win at Lyon.

Should Auxerre collect anything less than three points, victory over Rennes will give Marseille their first title since 1992.

Saturday's 0-0 draw between the two title challengers left Marseille five points clear with three games left.

That makes them clear favourites to take the title whether it happens on Wednesday or not, but technical director Jose Anigo admitted he was anxious to do it as soon as possible.

"No club has made up five points in the final three games to win the title, I know the statistic," he said.

"But there is so much fear in us, you cannot imagine.

"There have been so many years of waiting. It has been 17 years. For a club like ours, 10 years is too long without winning."

Auxerre face a tall order in trying to win at Stade Gerland, where Lyon are still fighting tooth and nail to qualify for the Champions League.

Following Saturday's draw, Auxerre boss Jean Fernandez praised Marseille as "the best team in the league", adding: "It would have taken one that is stronger to beat them."

But that does not mean he is willing to concede the title just yet.

"There are three important matches left, starting with one we will not miss on Wednesday at Lyon."

Lyon's 1-0 win over Montpellier last night left them two points behind third-placed Lille, but, critically, with a game in hand in the battle for the final Champions League spot.

"We know we have our destiny at our own feet," said midfielder Jeremy Toulalan. "If we win all our matches, we will be there. The goal is to be in the Champions League next season.

"Now we have four very important matches starting with Auxerre on Wednesday."

Lille will be out to hold on to third as they travel to Toulouse.

With growing speculation that their coach Laurent Blanc is set to take the France job in the summer, defending champions Bordeaux are limping somewhat towards the finish, but they can keep their slim Champions League hopes alive with victory away to Nice.

Montpellier will look to bounce back from their defeat by Lyon away to Sochaux as they too keep their push for European football going.

At the other end, both Boulogne and Le Mans could be relegated on Wednesday.

Boulogne host St Etienne, the only club either side can still catch. Should they fail to win, Boulogne will be down, while Le Mans need a victory at Nancy and anything but a win for St Etienne in order to stay alive.

Elsewhere, Lorient face Monaco, Paris Saint Germain take on Valenciennes and Lens host Grenoble.