Lionel Messi is to be available for selection when Ligue One pacesetters Paris Saint Germain welcome Ajaccio on Saturday night in what could be his penultimate home game at the Parc des Princes. Argentina’s World Cup winning captain missed last weekend’s 3-1 victory at Troyes as he was serving a two week suspension for taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia where he was doing promotional work. The record seven time Ballon D’Or winner resumed training on Tuesday after apologising to the club’s hierarchy.
PSG have been inconsistent throughout the year despite holding a commanding six point advantage over Racing Lens with only five games to the end of the Ligue One season. The Parisians Champions League limp round of 16 exit at the hands of Bayern Munich and subsequent ejection from the Coupe de France (French Cup) at the hands of Olympique Marseille had critics questioning the commitment of stars Messi, Kylian Mbappe and injured metronome Neymar.
Extra security had to be deployed at the Parc des Princes and Neymar’s home to disperse disgruntled supporters after the moneybags surprise 1-3 home defeat to Lorient that temporarily cut their cushion atop the standings to five points. Racing Lens, who last weekend beat direct rivals for the runners up slot Olympique Marseille 2-1 will have a chance to slice PSG’s lead to two points when they host Reims on Friday night.
Olympique Lyon’s veteran forward Alexander Lacazette will be gunning for the Golden Boot when the former multiple champions face Clermont Foot on Sunday. The former Arsenal forward has been a shining light in an underwhelming campaign for Laurent Blanc’s side. His four goals in a 5-4 victory over Montpellier last weekend catapulted him to 24 goals, level with Qatar 22 World Cup Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe Lottin.
Igor Tudor’s third placed Olympique Marseille have a straight forward home fixture against already relegated Angers on Sunday. France’s best supported side should nail Champions League qualification with victory as they hold a six point advantage over Monaco who host Lille Metropole on Sunday in a potential banana skin. Troyes’ relegation to Ligue 2 will be rubber stamped unless they avoid defeat at Rennes.
FRIDAY
Racing Lens v Reims
SATURDAY
Strasbourg v Nice,
Paris SG v Ajaccio
SUNDAY
Clermont v Olympique Lyon,
Montpellier v Lorient,
Brest v Auxerre,
Rennes. Troyes,
Toulouse v Nantes,
Monaco v Lille Metropole,
Olympique Marseille v Angers