Nice hold Lyon to boost Bordeaux title hopes

French league minnows Nice held Lyon to a scoreless draw on Saturday to boost Bordeaux's hopes of causing a late championship upset.

Lyon's latest setback, after their 2-2 draw with Caen last week, leaves them on 73 points, only five ahead of second placed Bordeaux ahead of their trip to Marseille Sunday.

Nice have been on a run of mediocre form, but in a high-tempo match played in hot temperatures the 'Aiglons' repelled a string of goalscoring chances from the six-time champions to reinforce their mid-table position.

Lyon and France midfielder Karim Benzema virtually admitted the title race is far from over.

“We still got a point but we would have preferred to take three to keep Bordeaux at bay,” Benzema told Canal Plus, admitting they would be watching Sunday's encounter closely.

“We'll be watching the Bordeaux game on Sunday, but I don't think it will be easy for them to win at Marseille.”

A victory for Bordeaux against Marseille would give Laurent Blanc's side 71 points and help close the gap on Lyon to just two points ahead of next week's penultimate round of games when Bordeaux host Sochaux and Lyon host Nancy.

On the final match day of the season, both Lyon and Bordeaux are away from home – at Auxerre and Lens respectively.

Elsewhere Saturday the relegation fight continues with Paris St Germain versus fellow strugglers Toulouse while Lens, also in the danger zone, hosting Monaco.