Monaco and Lille Aim for Champions League Spots in French Ligue 1

PARIS, France – Monaco and Lille are set to face off against lower-ranked opponents in the 17th round of the French Ligue 1, with both teams eyeing the coveted third-place spot that guarantees direct entry into the UEFA Champions League. The matches, scheduled for January 10, 2025, will see Monaco visiting Nantes and Lille traveling to Auxerre.

Monaco, currently third in the league table with 30 points, will take on Nantes, who are struggling in 18th place with just 15 points. The match will be held at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. Monaco is looking to bounce back after a 2-4 defeat to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the previous round. Meanwhile, Lille, with 28 points, will face Auxerre, who are ninth in the standings with 21 points. Lille enters the match at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps on an impressive 18-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Both Monaco and Lille are currently participating in the UEFA Champions League and are hopeful of advancing to the next round. Their performances in the domestic league will be crucial in maintaining their European ambitions. The third-place finish in Ligue 1 is particularly significant as it offers a direct route to the Champions League, bypassing the qualifying rounds.

In other Ligue 1 action, second-placed Olympique de Marseille, with 33 points, will face a struggling Rennes side, who are 17th with 17 points. Additionally, Brest (19 points) will host Olympique de Lyon (28 points), and Reims (20 points) will take on Nice (27 points). These matches are part of a packed schedule as the league reaches its midway point.

The French Ligue 1 continues to be one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, with teams battling not only for the title but also for European qualification spots. The upcoming matches will be crucial in shaping the second half of the season.