PSG a point away from 10th French title as Champions League fight heats up

Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain are poised to clinch the Ligue 1 title this weekend when they require just a point at home to Lens, but behind them the race for France’s other Champions League places is intensifying.

PSG’s season will ultimately be best remembered for their exit from the Champions League in the last 16 following a remarkable collapse against Real Madrid, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been cruising towards the domestic title for months.

Already nine points clear by the end of September, the Qatar-owned club now have an advantage of 15 points over Marseille in second with just five games of the campaign remaining.

They could have been confirmed as champions for a record-equalling 10th time in their history on Wednesday, when Mbappe scored as they defeated Angers 3-0 away.

However, Marseille beat Nantes 3-2 at the same time and so PSG were forced to keep the celebratory champagne on ice.

This time it does not matter what their rivals do, as a point will suffice against seventh-placed Lens at the Parc des Princes, where PSG have won every league game this season with the exception of a solitary goalless draw with Nice in December.

“It would be an immense source of joy for me to be involved in winning the club’s 10th league title,” said Pochettino this week.

However, it remains to be seen how PSG supporters will respond to winning the league after certain elements of their fanbase opted to remain silent in recent home games in protest at the team’s European exit and at the club’s management.

Having missed out to Lille for the title last year, PSG have never looked like being caught this time, but behind them there is a fierce battle being waged for European qualification.

Marseille are six points clear of the chasing pack in second and are therefore well placed to take France’s only other automatic qualifying berth for next season’s Champions League.