Ligue 1 Preview: PSG aim to seal title

Paris Saint-Germain go into this weekend’s fixtures knowing that they could secure the Ligue 1 title should results go their way.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are nine points clear at the top of the table, and victory at Evian coupled with a defeat for second-placed Marseille at Lorient will all but guarantee their first league triumph since 1994.

Marseille’s major concern, meanwhile, is securing second spot and a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

However, after losing 3-0 to Lorient at the Stade Velodrome back in December, Elie Baup’s men will be keen to avoid a slip-up against a side that has not lost a home match since their 4-0 defeat to Bordeaux in November.

Elsewhere, Lyon host Coupe de la Ligue winners Saint-Etienne in a local derby which could have massive implications on the fight for the final UEFA Champions League spot.

Remi Garde’s men have won their last two games but will be wary of opponents who trail them by just two points and have not lost a league fixture in 2013.

Lille are a point further behind in the race for third, and they can keep pace when they take on relegation-threatened Sochaux on Friday.

Rudi Garcia’s side have won eight of their last 10 and should be confident of overcoming Eric Hely’s strugglers.

Nice are another club with designs on European football and will fancy their chances when they welcome bottom club Troyes, while champions Montpellier visit Ajaccio looking to recover from back-to-back defeats.

Local rivals meet head-on on Saturday evening when Rennes face Brest, with the latter on a seven-game winless streak which has left them five points adrift of safety.

In-form Nancy take on Valenciennes in another clash which will affect the relegation shake-up, and both Reims and Bastia can all but secure their Ligue 1 futures when they face Bordeaux and Toulouse respectively.