It's a massive game in Ligue 1 this weekend between Lille and Nantes as the two sides aim to secure their respective aims for this campaign in the final two games of the campaign with the away side still in the bottom four.
This season has been a terrible one for Nantes from start to the present day, but it's the past few weeks that have defined their campaign more than any period. The club have seen their French Cup title defence end in tatters as they got to a consecutive final only to lose the game 5-1 against Toulouse following on from going 4-0 down in the first half.
They then went on to draw with Toulouse two weeks later but by losing to Brest a week on from the French Cup final loss, Nantes have now replaced them in the bottom four and sit adrift of Auxerre in 16th heading into this game. There are still six points left to play for, but they can be relegated this weekend if they lose this game and if Auxerre win their match.
On the other hand, there is a chance of survival even if they lose this game or draw it, as Nantes sit ahead of Auxerre in the goals difference margin having let in six fewer goals and after scoring two more too.
It gives them a fighting chance to survive in Ligue 1 this season, but they will still need to collect some points in the final two games of the season. This is going to be a hard task given how they lost 3-0 to Montpellier last time out at home and have now not won a game in the past eight since defeating Lyon in the French Cup semi-finals. In fact, they haven't won in Ligue 1 since all the way back in early February when they narrowly defeated Lorient at home.
As for Lille, they are still in fifth for another week and they can secure a spot in the Europa Conference League if they win here and if Rennes lose, as the gap is one point on them in fifth.
On the other hand, the champions from two seasons ago will still be eyeing up Monaco's spot in fourth with the gap just two points on them with six left to play for. Lille are also coming into this game having beaten Marseille 2-1 in the last outing and drawing with Monaco just before that.
