Saturday Preview: The European Battle Heats Up
Into the final month of the season, the race for the European places in Ligue 1 McDonald's is hotter than ever. After a shock win by OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes earlier, six teams are within four points of each other, and three of those are in action today -- RC Strasbourg, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais. Read our preview of their three matches below
RC Strasbourg v AS Saint-Étienne, 1700 CET
Strasbourg are now the owners of the league's longest unbeaten run after Paris Saint-Germain's loss earlier, but have dropped points in each of their last two matches, against direct rivals AS Monaco and OGC Nice. They'll be put to the test by a strong Sainté side who stunned Olympique Lyonnais with a derby victory last weekend. Behind in-form young Belgian striker Lucas Stassin and playmaker Zuriko Davitashvili, Les Verts are a dangerous team going forward, and may have designs on an upset. To do that, they'll have to contend with the hosts' own danger men, striker Emanuel Emegha (13 goals) and midfielder Andrey Santos (nine) and an in-form goalkeeper in Djordje Petrovic (seven clean sheets in ten).
AC Le havre v as monaco, 1900 CET
AS Monaco have been one of the strongest teams in the league this season at home -- only Paris Saint-Germain have picked up more points. However, their play on the road is more middling, with just five wins from fourteen. After a draw at the Stade Louis-II with Strasbourg last weekend, they'll want to get back to winning ways against a Le Havre side who are struggling to beat the drop and are also the league's poorest side at home. With the hosts missing key defender Arouna Sanganté, Les Monégasques will be hopeful of that trend continuing.
Olympique Lyonnais v stade rennais, 2105 CET
While Lyon are coming off the back of a gutting derby defeat, Rennes have won three of four, including against fellow Bretons last weekend. Despite safety being all but assured, the visitors have shown no sign of letting their collective foot off the gas, with Habib Beye giving a long leash to his young, attack-minded team. Having netted eleven goals in that span, the Bretons have looked sharp indeed. As for Les Gones, they'll be glad of a return to full fitness for Malick Fofana, who is likely to start on the left as the team look to shake off their agonizing defeat in the Europa League and secure a place in next year's competition.
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