PSG on brink of title glory

PARIS (AFP) –

Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring a penalty in the match against Nice, on April 21, 2013 in Paris. There are still four games of the Ligue 1 season remaining but Paris Saint-Germain could wrap up their first title since 1994 if results go their way this weekend.

There are still four games of the Ligue 1 season remaining but Paris Saint-Germain could wrap up their first title since 1994 if results go their way this weekend.

After starting the campaign as overwhelming title favourites, the capital club have been permanent fixtures in top spot since late January and came into May nine points clear of second-placed Marseille at the summit.

It is therefore only a matter of time before they become the sixth different name on the trophy in the last six seasons.

If Marseille fail to beat Bastia at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday afternoon, then Paris will be in a position to be crowned champions by bettering OM’s result when they host Valenciennes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening.

But even if Marseille win, PSG will effectively be champions with a win of their own thanks to their vastly superior goal difference.

Given Valenciennes’ woeful form in recent times, it is hard to see beyond a PSG win, even if they must do without goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, Marco Verratti, Thiago Motta and David Beckham — who celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday — due to suspension.

Marseille players celebrate a goal in the match against Lorient on April 27, 2013 in Lorient. If Marseille fail to beat Bastia at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday afternoon, then Paris will be in a position to be crowned champions by bettering OM’s result when they host Valenciennes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening.

“Everyone will be looking out for Marseille’s result on Saturday, of course,” said PSG’s Brazilian defender Alex. “But, for us, it doesn’t really matter. We just need to get the job done, win on Sunday and be champions as soon as possible.”

Marseille come into their encounter with Bastia in fine form thanks to a run of eight matches without defeat since losing 2-0 to PSG in late February.

Elie Baup’s side have also gone seven matches without conceding a goal, so should be too strong for their Corsican opponents, who are not yet entirely safe from the threat of relegation.

However, OM have selection problems, with Benoit Cheyrou and Rod Fanni injured for the game and Andre Ayew suspended after his sending-off in last week’s win against Lorient.

Nobody in Marseille has ever seriously contemplated the prospect of winning the title, but achieving Champions League qualification would in itself make this a successful campaign for a limited side.

“We deserve to be where we are. We have not stolen the points we have picked up,” said playmaker Mathieu Valbuena.

“We need to be honest and admit that we have not exactly made our fans dream this year, but the essential thing is that we are up near the top of the table.”

Valenciennes’ Remi Gomis battles agaisnt Nancy’s goalkeeper Damien Gregorini during the on April 27, 2013 in Valenciennes. Valenciennes host Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening.

“Paris are playing like champions and, with the lead they have now, the title belongs to them,” added Marseille coach Baup. “They might not win it this weekend, but there is no doubt that the title is theirs.”

Lille, in fifth, travel to face Toulouse, while Nice go to Rennes on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, at the bottom, Troyes simply have to beat Evian to keep their survival hopes alive and Brest are looking to end a run of seven successive defeats when they go to out-going champions Montpellier.

Fixtures (all kick-offs 1800 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Marseille v Bastia (1500 GMT), Montpellier v Brest, Reims v Ajaccio, Sochaux v Lorient, Toulouse v Lille, Troyes v Evian

Sunday

Rennes v Nice (1200 GMT), Nancy v Lyon (1500 GMT), Paris Saint-Germain v Valenciennes (1900GMT)