The 2021-22 season in the French top-flight will begin earlier than expected to help PSG's quest to win the UEFA Champions League. The current Ligue 1 leaders will start the weekend with an interesting game against Rennes, which should give way to some interesting clashes in the rest of the league.
Les Parisiens seem to have one hand on the domestic title, which would see them resting some players for their clash against Rennes. Nevertheless, the kind of criticism the team has endured all season long could see coach Mauricio Pochettino fielding a stronger team than expected before their midweek clash against Real Madrid. Elsewhere, OGC Nice and Marseille will continue their quarrel for second place, with the light blue and white side having the upper hand at the moment.
Let's have a look at how things look like in the French top-flight ahead of a busy but entertaining weekend.
Top five teams in Ligue 1 ahead of Matchday 24
PSG continue with their impressive run as leaders, holding a 13-point lead over Marseille. The same cannot be said about Les Olympiens, who endured a tough loss in the Coupe de France against Nice, who are third, and who could take advantage of that morale-boosting win to claim the second place all to themselves once again. A bit further behind, Strasbourg and Rennes will try to get closer to the leading pack, but they must be wary of Monaco, who could leapfrog them with a win this weekend if things do not go their way in their respective outings.
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Top games to watch on Matchday 24 games in Ligue 1
PSG vs Rennes - The league leaders will take on the fifth-best team in the league with everything to play for. It should not be a tough game for Pochettino's team considering the difference between each team's roster, but given PSG's upcoming schedule, it will be interesting to see which players are left out before Les Parisiens host Real Madrid in a match that could have very much to do with their coach's future regardless of their performance in the domestic tournament, where they seem to have a firm hold on the title.
Olympique Lyonnais vs Nice - The third-best team in the league will travel to Lyon, where the hosts are trying to finish off the season with a streak that could see them playing European tournaments next year. Christoph Galtier's men should be considered as the favorites to win this game, but Peter Bosz's team will not make it easy for the black and red side despite the point gap between these clubs.
Metz vs Olympique Marseille - Les Olympiens will want to go back to winning ways after their disappointing cup loss to Nice, and what better way to do so than claiming a soothing win over Metz, one of the teams involved in the battle to avoid relegation. Les Grenats will want to avoid a loss here at all costs, since one defeat for them combined with wins by Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux could see them fall to the 20th spot in the competition.
Who's in and who's out for Matchday 24 games in Ligue 1?
Monaco: Injured: Myron Boadu, Krepin Diattá, Benoit Badiashile.
Nice: Injured: Youcef Atal.
Olympique Marseille: No missing players.
PSG: Ineligible: Nathan Bitumazala, Alexandre Letellier, Edouard Michut.
Full list of games for Matchday 24 games in Ligue 1
