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What's ahead in the relegation battle?
With four matches to go, the battle to avoid the drop in Ligue 1 McDonald's is closer than ever -- here's our look at the key fixtures to come. With strong play of late, AJ Auxerre and Stade Rennais are 11 points clear of the playoffs, but six sides are still playing for a place in the top division next year.
AS Saint-Étienne - 17th place - 27 points
After a stirring and unlikely victory over derby rivals Lyon last weekend, Sainté just about have hope of survival, with the form of Lucas Stassin being an additional filip. The young Belgian played a big role in Sunday's win and is one of the most in-form attackers in the league. That, coupled with a fixture list that includes direct confrontations against relegation rivals means Les Verts could yet pull off a great escape
Key fixtures: At Stade de Reims, May 11; Vs. Toulouse FC, May 18
AC Le Havre - 16th place - 27 points
Veteran Abdoulaye Touré (below) has been hugely impressive this season, but the Guinea international's gifts may not be enough to grant the Normans a reprieve. A hugely difficult set of fixtures against teams scrapping for the Champions League -- Strasbourg, Marseille and Monaco -- looms, and it's not out of the question that this side fails to pick up another point, surely a worry.
Key fixtures: At AJ Auxerre, May 4
Angers SCO - 15th place - 30 points
Angers looked left for dead earlier in the season, but have quietly and patiently kept their heads above water. They're far from safe yet, and like Le Havre face a trio of sides battling for Europe, but a Breton derby win over Nantes could be enough to guarantee another season in the top flight for Le SCO.
Key fixtures: At FC Nantes, May 4
FC Nantes - 14th place - 31 points
Nantes were impressive in notching a gritty draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the week, but there's still work to do for Antoine Kombouaré's team to confirm their place in the top flight. Save a trip to Auxerre, Nantes will play three of their last four matches at home, and will count on the Beaujoire crowd to lift them in three vital matches.
Key fixtures: Vs. Toulouse FC, April 27; Vs Angers SCO, May 4
Stade de Reims - 13th place - 32 points
After the loss of several key players in the January window, things looked dire indeed for the Champagne side, but the form of the likes of Yehvann Diouf and Keito Nakamura (below) has turned things around. Winners of three of four in the league, Reims are nearly safe, and should be able to just about seal their safety against bottom side Montpellier this weekend.
Key fixtures: Vs. Saint-Étienne, May 11
Toulouse FC - 12th place - 34 points
Depending on results this weekend, Toulouse could secure their safety this weekend, but no team in the league is in poorer form. Carles Martínez Novell's side have lost each of their last five matches, and while they still hold their destiny in their hands, their recent indifference could yet be fatal.
Key fixtures: At FC Nantes, April 27; At Saint-Étienne, May 18
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