Ligue 1 McDonald's permutations: what can be decided this weekend?
In the penultimate gameweek of the Ligue 1 McDonald's 2025/26 season, there is plenty that can be decided. We look through the permutations for gameweek 33.
The title race
The Ligue 1 McDonald's title could be won this weekend. Both Lens and PSG have three games remaining, rather than two, with their fixture, initially scheduled for April, postponed. They will face each other next week. However, by the time their midweek match comes around, the title could already be decided.
If the reigning Ligue 1 McDonald's champions beat Brest this weekend and Lens fail to beat Nantes, then PSG will be named champions for the fourth consecutive season. Should Les Parisiens draw against Brest and Lens lose against Les Canaris, the title will also be decided.
The Relegation fight
At the bottom, the equation is rather simple. For Nantes, only a win will do against Lens. They got their first win since February and their first win under Vahid Halilhodzic last weekend, against Marseille (3-0). However, Auxerre's win against Angers later in the weekend ensured that Les Canaris remain on the brink of relegation to Ligue 2 BKT.
The final countdow is on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/X04p3Yl4cD
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 8, 2026
Auxerre are five points ahead of Nantes with two games remaining. Failure to win at the Bollaert on Friday night will send them down. There is also a key match between Nice and Auxerre. It is the latter who host the former on Sunday. A win for Claude Puel's side will see them mathematically assure their safety. A draw - or a win for AJA - and the fight for the relegation playoff spot will go to the final day.
The race for Europe
Just one point for Lens tonight will be enough for them to secure their place in next season's Champions League. The top three teams (one of which is already guaranteed to be PSG) all enter the 'League Phase' of the UCL. The fourth will enter the preliminary rounds. A win for Lyon, who travel to Toulouse, will be enough for them to secure their place on the podium, regardless of results elsewhere.
With Lille, Rennes, Monaco, and Marseille separated by just five points, it is tight for the UCL preliminary rounds spot, as well as the Europa League and Europa Conference League spot. OM, who travel to face Le Havre, could fall out of the race, should they fail to win, Monaco beat LOSC, and Rennes get at least a point against Paris FC.
Should that happen, Habib Beye's side would be reliant on Lens doing them a favour and beating Nice in the final of the Coupe de France. That would offer Les Phocéens a place in the UECL.
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