On Matchday 21 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain faces Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes this Sunday at 8:45 PM CET. A highly anticipated match, but it’s not the only one of great importance.
Standings:
Matches:
PSG hosting OM is always a highlight of the season. Even more so when it’s the top-ranked team taking on the third-placed team. The latter needs a win to put pressure back on their rival and avoid losing the top two spots. However, the Parisians will have had time to prepare thoroughly, while Marseille played against Rennes on Tuesday in the Coupe de France and won 3-0.
Rennes’ fatigue could also play a role in the other crucial match, with the 6th-placed team traveling to Lens, the 2nd-placed side who like to put pressure on PSG and who will undoubtedly have something positive to gain from the Classico. Especially if they won at home beforehand.
In any case, several teams in the top six will drop points, an opportunity that Lyon (4th), Lille (5th), and Strasbourg (7th) must not miss by facing teams at the bottom of the table. However, nothing is decided yet in the relegation battle. Metz (18th), Nantes (16th), and Le Havre (15th) will be fighting hard. Interestingly, all three of these teams will be playing at home. There could be some surprises.
Toulouse (8th), Lorient (9th), and Monaco (10th) are lurking. However, they share some unfavorable characteristics: they are all playing away, and against teams just below them who could well cause problems. Angers (11th) has shown some impressive qualities in recent weeks, Brest (12th) is capable of anything, and Nice (13th) has had some flashes of brilliance in what has otherwise been a very difficult season.
Finally, there is only one direct relegation battle, with Auxerre (17th) hosting Paris (14th). This is a particularly important match as the final stretch of the season approaches. And, as mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is quite possible that the relegation rivals will struggle against the clubs vying for European qualification.
