Things are coming down to a fascinating end in Ligue 1. After 33 rounds of play, we already know the champions, another side entering the Champions League next season, and the two teams who will be departing the division for Ligue 2. Also confirmed are five of France’s seven continental representatives for the 2026/27 campaign.
With that said, there are still a few places of significance that are up for grabs. With all nine fixtures of round 34 taking place on Sunday at 21:00 CET, Football Lowdown looks at what is at stake, and who needs what.
Champions League Spots: Lille (61 points), Lyon (60), Rennes (59)
Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens are assured of Champions League football for next season. Looking to join them in Europe’s premier club competition are LOSC Lille, Olympique Lyonnais, and Stade Rennais. An automatic UCL place will be awarded to the third place team, while the club finishing fourth partakes in the third qualifying round in August. Fifth is Europa League football.
Lille heads into the last round with the narrow advantage. Les Dogues, unbeaten in their last 13 in the league (8-5-0), face Auxerre to cap off the term. Simply put, a win will give them third place. Should they draw, they require Lyon to drop points and Rennes to win by no more than five goals. A defeat would leave Lille hoping for Lyon to lose as well, while Rennes would have to fail to win. Bruno Génésio’s men will finish fourth if one condition is not met while they drop points.
In what has been a turbulent season for Lyon, they head into the last round with destiny in their hands. UCL football could return to Parc OL for the first time since 2019/20, but to return to the UCL proper, l’OL has to beat Lens and hope that Lille fails to win their game. A draw could be enough for Les Gones, providing Lille is beaten, and Rennes does not come out on top in their clash. For them to finish fourth, all three teams would have to achieve the same outcome. Should Lyon finish level with Lille, the former would have the advantage on goal difference. However, if OL (+17 goal difference) and Rennes (+11) are tied, it will depend on goal difference.
A campaign with ups and downs, Rennes will return to Europe next term after missing out in the last two years. Les Rouge et Noirs could still end up in any of three UEFA club competitions, as crazy as that may sound. To qualify directly for the UCL, they will need to beat Marseille and hope that Lille loses and Lyon drops points. Should Lille draw, then Rennes could still finish third, but would have to prevail by at least six goals. If only one of the two requirements are fulfilled, then fourth spot will go to them. If they are level with either team, then they will have to overturn a six-goal difference.
Rennes could even finish sixth, which could result in Conference League football. If they lose, then they will drop to sixth, meaning they will await the outcome of the Coupe de France final on Friday to determine their European spot.
Guaranteed European Place: Olympique Marseille (56), AS Monaco (54)
The race for sixth has gone down to two teams, with Marseille and Monaco hoping to wrap up European football on Sunday night. With that said, both could still get in, providing that Lens beats Nice in the Coupe de France showpiece. If that happens, sixth will equal Europa League football and seventh the UECL berth.
Marseille holds the upper edge going into the round. As previously noted, they take on Rennes in their game. A win will not only see them qualify for European football, but lock down a Europa League spot as they would end up in fifth. Should l’OM draw, then that will give them sixth, seeing Monaco cannot realistically make up the goal difference even if they win.
Les Monegasques will almost surely require a miracle if they are to deny Marseille sixth. Heading to Strasbourg to face the Conference League semifinalists, a win is required, coupled with a defeat from OM. Any other permutation sees them end up in seventh, hoping for Lens to claim the cup.
Relegation Playoff: Le Havre (32), AJ Auxerre (31), OGC Nice (31)
Nantes and Metz are already confirmed to be departing Ligue 1 for Ligue 2, but one of Le Havre, Auxerre, or Nice could still join them there. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, none of the three teams can be relegated on the night. Instead, Saint-Étienne awaits them in a two-legged promotion/relegation playoff.
The good news for Le Havre is that they start the day with the lead in this battle. Taking on midtable Lorient away, they know that victory will secure their place in the top flight for the 2026/27 season. Defeats by Auxerre and Nice also guarantees Les Ciel et Marine’s safety. A draw is enough should the other two teams do not win. In the event that Le Havre ends up tied with both teams, or with Nice, they will also be safe. The same cannot be said if they and Auxerre are level for 15th, with the latter holding the better goal difference in that scenario.
As for Auxerre, their trip to Lille adds pressure for them. Just like Le Havre, victory will keep them in Ligue 1, while a draw does the trick if one or both of the teams involved lose, or if Nice draws. Les Ajaïstes cannot end 16th if they are tied on points with either or both of their relegation rivals thanks to having the best goal difference of the lot.
Nice, who has suffered a horrific season, finds themself in a very uncomfortable situation. Les Aiglons face the already-relegated Metz in their last match. Three points are practically required if they are to stand a chance at avoiding the playoff. On top of that, Le Havre and/or Auxerre have to drop points. The only other way for Nice to finish 15th is if they share the points at the Allianz Riviera, while Auxerre loses. Realistically, they cannot catch up to either team in the goal difference department.
Ironically, Nice could still play in the UEL next campaign if they win the Coupe de France. The first goal, however, is to maintain their Ligue 1 status at the end of play on Sunday.
