Finish line within sight

Paris Saint-Germain could clinch a fourth successive Ligue 1 crown at Troyes on Sunday to round out an excellent week for Laurent Blanc’s side after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

PSG advanced to the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition for the fourth year running as Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Chelsea saw the French side progress 4-2 on aggregate.

“We played a great match against a big team. We controlled things and committed very few mistakes,” said Lucas after PSG dumped the Premier League champions out of Europe for the second time in as many seasons.

“This season we are much stronger than last year and I think we’re improving year after year. We have to keep progressing like that.”

With PSG well-placed to retain both domestic cups, the capital club could take the first step towards defending last year’s treble at bottom side Troyes, where a victory would guarantee them the French title in record time, although only if Monaco fail to overcome Reims on Friday.

Monaco will also be wary that any slip-up could see a revitalised Lyon close the gap in the race for France’s second automatic Champions League qualifying spot.

“I don’t know if our lead (on Lyon) will be enough. But it’s up to them to chase us down and I think we’re in a better position. I prefer to be the hunted rather than the hunter,” said Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Five wins in six have propelled Lyon back into the top three, but OL will need to rectify their away form with six defeats in their last eight games ahead of Sunday’s trip to fifth-place Rennes.

Nice welcomed back Hatem Ben Arfa from injury last weekend and Claude Puel’s men will bid to maintain their European challenge at a Montpellier side unbeaten in five league outings.

Caen, Saint-Etienne and Nantes will aim to remain firmly in contention for a top-three finish when they take on Gazelec Ajaccio, Guingamp and Angers respectively.

– ‘Doubt’ torments Marseille –

However, Marseille’s European hopes are fading fast after they were held 1-1 at Gazelec on Wednesday, a result that left OM still stuck in the bottom half of the table.

“Right now, our problem isn’t the pitch, technique, tactics or anything physical, it’s doubt,” said Michel.

“The players have to rebuild their confidence and matches like (Wednesday’s) don’t help. We need to approach the end of the season in a different manner.”

Marseille travel to Lorient on Saturday, with the home side level on points with OM and unbeaten in their last three matches — a run that has effectively erased any fears of plunging into a relegation scrap.

Toulouse received some good news on Thursday in what’s been a disastrous season as new coach Pascal Dupraz returned to training, having been hospitalised after being taken ill on the eve of last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Marseille.

Dupraz, who took over the relegation strugglers following the resignation of Dominique Arribage, played down any fears over his health as he tries to keep Toulouse in the top flight despite the nine-point gap separating them from safety.

“I did a lot of rigorous tests and I got the green light from everyone,” said Dupraz. “All the doubts have been removed. I have kids and a wife, if there was I risk I wouldn’t have taken it.”

He will belatedly take charge of his first game at home to Bordeaux, while Bastia host a Lille outfit with just one away win all season.

Fixtures (kick-off times GMT)

Friday

Monaco v Reims (1930)

Saturday

Lorient v Marseille (1600), Montpellier v Nice, Guingamp v Saint-Etienne, Bastia v Lille, Toulouse v Bordeaux, Gazelec Ajaccio v Caen (all 1900)

Sunday

Troyes v Paris Saint-Germain (1300), Nantes v Angers (1600), Rennes v Lyon (2000)
Source: AFP