With 10 games left to play and four clubs in contention to lift the Ligue 1 Uber Eats trophy, David Crossan looks at the fixtures to come and predicts the champions.
LILLE - 62 points, goal difference +32
Last champions in 2011, LOSC have impressed everybody this season and are in pole position for the final sprint. Christophe Galtier's side have shown their quality and battling qualities all season and will need all of their resolve if they're to come through a tough fixture list that sees them travel to all of their title rivals and go to Europe-chasing neighbours Lens. My feeling is that those away fixtures will be Les Dogues' undoing as I have them down to take just two points from those four games. I'm aware I've tipped LOSC to lose as many in their last 10 as they have in the first 28 and should they prove me wrong and win on one of those testing away dates then they will become champions.
Predicted results: Monaco (A) L, Nimes (H) W, PSG (A) D, Metz (A) W, Montpellier (H) W, Lyon (A) D, Nice (H) W, Lens (A) L, ASSE (H) W, Angers (A) W - W6, D2, L2, 20 points, total 82 points
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - 60 points, goal difference +45
Somehow, despite six league defeats and taking only one point from a possible 12 against their title rivals, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will still feel the title is theirs to lose. With key players such as Neymar and Angel Di Maria back from injury for the business end of the season, Kylian Mbappé banging in the goals and the defence looking to add to an impressive 18 clean sheets, Mauricio Pochettino's side will be hard to stop.
Attempting to go one better than last season and lift that elusive first Champions League trophy - given none of their rivals have European distractions - could take away from their domestic title bid. Back-to-back games against Lyon and Lille are massive and I predict them to take only one point from those matches but to have just enough to get over the line on a pulsating final day.
Predicted results: Nantes (H) W, Lyon (A) L, Lille (H) D, Strasbourg (A) W, ASSE (H) W, Metz (A) W, Lens (H) W, Rennes (A) D, Reims (H) W, Brest (A) W - W7, D2, L1, 23 points, total 83 points
LYON - 59 points, goal difference +31
Olympique Lyonnais haven't won the title since the last of their seven in a row in 2008 and have a real chance of ending their drought this term. The "KTM" attacking trio of Karl Toko Ekambi, Tino Kadewere and inspirational captain Memphis Depay have been brilliant, Lucas Paqueta and Houssem Aouar have shimmered in midfield, Léo Dubois has pinged in the crosses, while Thiago Mendes, Marcelo and Jason Denayer have formed a solid defensive base. I'm backing OL to beat PSG at Groupama Stadium but for their title hopes to suffer a mortal blow as they take only one point from back-to-back games against Lille and Monaco.
Predicted results: Reims (A) W, PSG (H) W, Lens (A) D, Angers (H) W, Nantes (A) W, Lille (H) D, Monaco (A) L, Lorient (H) W, Nimes (A) W, Nice (H) W - W7, D2, L1, 23 points, total 82 points
MONACO - 55 points, goal difference +18
Monaco's Round 28 loss to Strasbourg leaves them with a lot of ground to make up with time running out and I expect it to be too much for Niko Kovac's side given it's hard to see the clubs above them dropping too many points. Wins against Lille and Lyon will be cancelled out by a shock loss at Angers, while the Principality club's hopes of securing a return to the Champions League will be dashed on the final day when they fall at Lens, a result that will see Franck Haise's side secure fifth place and European football.
Predicted results: Lille(H) W, ASSE (A) D, Metz (H) W, Dijon (H) W, Bordeaux (A) W, Angers (A) L, Lyon (H) W, Reims (A) W, Rennes (H) W, Lens (A) L - W7, D1, L2, 22 points, total 77 points
FINAL TABLE
Paris Saint-Germain 83 points
Lyon 82 points
Lille 82 points
Monaco 77 points
I have three clubs competing for the title in the final round of the season and PSG - just - emerging as champions ahead of OL, second on goal difference in my table ahead of the unfortunate Lille. Monaco will be left to rue waiting until 2021 to hit their stride. I'm sure you disagree with me so why not listen to the latest Le Beau Jeu podcast, make your own mind up and enter the exciting competition. My table is likely to be wrong as this amazing season has more twists and turns in store.
