The Chase Is On: A closer look at the Champions League race
With two-thirds of the season now in the books in Ligue 1 McDonald's we take a closer look at the race for European football!
A big win for Strasbourg over in-form Lyon and a shock loss for Marseille to Brest mean that six teams are in the hunt for third and fourth place. The former means a place in next year's league phase, while the latter is a place in qualifying. While the likes of Lyon and Racing have shown that playing in Europe's lesser competitions can burnish the league's reputation (both finished atop the league phase standings), the real goal for this group will be a place in the Champions League next season.
Olympique Lyonnais: 3rd place, 45 points
In seeing their record-setting winning run across all competitions come to an end against Strasbourg yesterday, Lyon missed a golden opportunity to move eight points ahead of an out-of-sorts Marseille, but still hold all the cards. With matches to come against two of the three sides immediately below them and the sensational form of Endrick, it's no wonder Lyon look most likely to complete what has been a remarkable season back in Europe's top competition.
Key fixtures: at Marseille (3/1), vs Monaco (3/22), vs Rennes (5/3)
Opta odds: CL 73.82%, EL 4.86%
Olympique de Marseille: 4th place, 40 points
It's been a difficult month of late for Marseille, who have slipped from the title race following tough losses to the likes of Nantes, Brest and PSG. That, coupled with the departure of firebrand manager Roberto de Zerbi and elimination from the Champions League means that the pressure is squarely on new boss Habib Beye. Despite being a key figure for the club in his playing days, he stumbled badly at Rennes in his previous appointment, and looks to have his work cut out for him, even as a potential Coupe de France trophy remains a possibility.
Key fixtures: vs Lyon (3/1), vs LOSC (3/22), vs Rennes (5/16)
Opta odds: CL 22.02%, EL 18.17%
LOSC: 5th place, 37 points
It's incredible that Lille's win over Angers at the weekend was their first of the calendar year in Ligue 1 McDonald's and they still remain in contention. Injuries have played a big part in Les Dogues' struggles, as has playing in multiple competitions with a raft of older players -- Olivier Giroud, Aissa Mandi and Benjamin André chief among these.
Key fixtures: at Rennes (3/15), at OM (3/22), vs Lens (4/5)
Opta odds: CL 2.46%, EL 24.86%
Stade Rennais: 6th place, 37 points
Sweet freedom or what? In Rennes' first match following the dismissal of Beye, they stunned PSG 3-1, and then followed that with a comprehensive win over struggling Auxerre. There's still plenty of football to be played, but with Franck Haise on the bench and piles of proven talent, Rennes could yet pip their rivals -- most of whom remain in multiple competitions -- to fourth.
Key fixtures: vs LOSC (3/15), at RCSA (4/19), at OM (5/16)
Opta odds: CL 2.43%, EL 22.22%
RC Strasbourg: 7th place, 34 points
Gary O'Neil's young Racing side bravely reinserted themselves into this conversation following Sunday's stunning win over Lyon at home. While they'll be tested by their continued participation in the Conference League and the Coupe de France, they have plenty of depth and quality and while the Champions League is likely a long shot, an improvement on last year's seventh place finish is a real likelihood
Key fixtures: vs Lens (2/27), vs Rennes (4/19), vs Monaco (5/16)
Opta odds: CL 1.11%, EL 19.50%
AS Monaco: 8th place, 34 points
Will the real Monaco please stand up? Is the Principality side the one who has gone toe-to-toe with Paris Saint-Germain twice this season and beaten leaders Lens, or the one who has struggled to break down lesser opposition all too often. Injuries have played their part, but the team is close to being fit again save long-term absentees Mohammed Salisu and Takumi Minamino. Monaco are a long shot as they would basically have to run the table to finish third, but the six points to third don't seem terribly daunting.
Key fixtures: At Lyon (3/22), vs Marseille (4/5), vs LOSC (5/9), at RCSA (5/16)
Opta odds: CL 0.24%, EL 7.34%
