In the heart of France's footballing capital, Ligue 1 is a competition that has always been one of the most competitive in Europe. With the league set to conclude its second half, we have seen teams jockeying for position on the mid-table standings. The three top teams, Rennes, Nice, and Lyon, are currently battling it out for a place in the Europa League.
Rennes, who finished last season as champions, has maintained their form this year, sitting at the top of the table with 66 points from 22 games played. Their impressive record includes victories against some of the biggest clubs in Europe such as Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid. However, they still need to win their remaining matches to secure a spot in the Europa League.
Nice, on the other hand, has shown signs of improvement this season after finishing third last year. They currently sit at the fourth spot with 58 points from 22 games. Despite their struggles earlier in the season, they have managed to turn things around and have now won five of their last six matches. They will be hoping to build on this momentum and finish the campaign strongly.
Lyon, who were once considered the favorites to win the league, have struggled this season. They currently sit at the fifth spot with 49 points from 22 games. While they have had their fair share of wins, they have also suffered defeats against lower-ranked teams. They will need to improve their defensive record if they want to maintain their place in the Europa League.
The battle for the Europa League places is intense, but each team has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Rennes and Nice both have strong attacking options, while Lyon can boast of a solid defense. It remains to be seen which team will emerge victorious in the final weeks of the season, but one thing is certain - the race for the Europa League places is far from over.