Lyon can wrap up direct qualification for next season’s Uefa Champions League with a win when they entertain Monaco on the penultimate weekend of the Ligue 1 campaign on Saturday.
Both sides are on course to finish in the top three in France but both are desperate to avoid ending the season in third spot, and thus having to come through two qualifying rounds to make the Champions League proper.
Lyon were runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last season, while Monaco came in third and ended up missing out on the Champions League group stage by losing to Valencia in a play-off.
The two teams come into the weekend level on points, but Lyon’s superior goal difference is such that a win in front of a near-60,000 crowd at the Parc OL would rule out Monaco catching them on the final day.
Lyon have the momentum on their side too, having closed the gap after being 10 points behind Monaco in late February.
Bruno Genesio’s side have won seven and drawn two of their last nine games, while Monaco have won just three times over the same period.
That has given Lyon the chance to claim the prize of best of the rest in France behind the utterly dominant Qatar-owned PSG, as OL’s outspoken president Jean-Michel Aulas has been eager to point out.
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“It is good to have a final to the French championship because Qatar is not part of France,” Aulas said.
“There will therefore be a French title up for grabs. That is what we need to get in our heads and it will be marvellous for whoever wins.
“We know that if we play with the necessary mental strength to win the game, we will be in the Champions League.
“We will see if our players, as well as being good footballers, are men with superior mental strength. We will also see if Bruno Genesio is capable of preparing the team for the Champions League because this is a Champions League game.”
Lyon are set to be without Corentin Tolisso but Mathieu Valbuena has returned to training after missing last week’s win against Gazelec Ajaccio.
Monaco have problems of their own, though, with Brazilian right-back Fabinho suspended and midfield duo Jeremy Toulalan and Joao Moutinho both struggling for fitness.
“This match is a final, it will be decisive,” said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, whose team will be supported in Lyon by Prince Albert.
“We want to finish second and qualify directly for the Champions League but they are a good team and are used to playing in big matches.”
If either team slip up, Saint-Etienne or Nice could yet snatch a podium place.
The sides meet on the Cote d’Azur with Les Verts four points back in fourth and Nice another point behind in fifth.
Both sides are looking to at least seal Europa League qualification but they are under pressure from Lille, who sit sixth and are in good form having gone eight league games unbeaten.
Frederic Antonetti’s side entertain Guingamp in far northern France but do so without Sofiane Boufal, who is out for the remainder of the campaign with a knee problem.
Champions PSG need just a draw away to relegation-threatened Gazelec Ajaccio to set a new record for the most points in a Ligue 1 campaign.
Marco Verratti is a doubt due to a thigh injury as PSG come up against a Gazelec side who lie one point above the relegation zone.
If the Corsicans claim a shock win, it could spell big trouble for the two teams below them, Reims and Toulouse.
Reims go to Marseille, while Toulouse are at home to already demoted Troyes.
FIXTURES (all kick-offs 11pm UAE time)
Saturday
Lille v Guingamp
Lyon v Monaco
Marseille v Reims
Montpellier v Rennes
Nice v Saint-Etienne
Bordeaux v Lorient
Nantes v Caen
Bastia v Angers
Toulouse v Troyes
Gazelec Ajaccio v Paris Saint-Germain
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Scotland v Ireland:
Scotland (15-1): Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Josh Strauss, James Ritchie, Ryan Wilson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Simon Berghan, Stuart McInally, Allan Dell
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D'arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
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EU Russia
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