“It would be professional misconduct not to be third by 11 PM on Sunday,” declared Lille defender Thomas Meunier, setting a resolute tone after their vital 1-0 away victory against Monaco. That crucial win propelled Lille onto the Ligue 1 podium with just one match remaining in the season. His sentiment is hard to dispute: LOSC stands on the brink of Champions League qualification, facing a team from the lower half of the table, seemingly a less formidable opponent on paper.

However, nothing is assured until the Dogues complete their mission this Sunday evening against Auxerre on the final matchday of the championship. This pivotal encounter will be broadcast live from 9 PM, featuring commentary from Thomas Lavaud.

Lyon and Rennes lie in wait

The Lille squad holds its destiny in its own hands to conclude this season triumphantly. A victory guarantees their spot in the Champions League. Should LOSC falter, attention will shift to the outcomes of their primary rivals. Lyon trails Lille by a single point, while Rennes occupies fifth place, two points behind. Olympique Lyonnais will face their regional adversaries Lens, and Rennes travels to take on Marseille. In the worst-case scenario (a defeat for the northern club coupled with wins for both competitors), Lille would drop to fifth, securing a place in the Europa League – an outcome no one associated with the club desires.