In the race between OM and Nancy for third place in the League and a place in the Cjhampions League qualifying round, Nancy, with only eight games left, have asix point lead. Both teams have the same number of games remaining to be played at home (4). On top of that, when OM play at home so do Nancy idem for the away games. The gap between the two teams is unlikely to yo-yo very much.
If we look at the games to be played during the run in we can note that there are five clubs who will have their say in this race. OM and Nancy both have to play against Lyon, Bordeaux, Le Mans, Strasbourg & Lille. These teams will be the referees in the duel between the two clubs. It all starts this weekend when Nancy visit Bordeaux and OM go to Lorient. Bordeaux will play against OM at the Vélodrome on the night of the round 36 game. Bordeaux have lost ground on Lyon but have to assure their second place as Nancy are only three points behind them.
Next up are Lille, who in the space of two weekends willplay Nancy at home and OM at the Vélodrome. Claude Puel’s men, in seventh position at the moment, are part of the pack chasing for fourth place alongside Nice, Lorient & Le Mans… Le Mans, who will play at home to Nancy (34th round) and OM (37th round),are fighting for fourth place and could, if all else fails, take the Intertoto placewhich is livings it’s last hours in the summer of 2008.
Of the five clubs that OM add Nancy have to face, Strasbourg are not only the most badly positioned (15th) but the also the only team that will play both clubs away from home, they visit Marcel-Picot in the 36th round and the Vélodrome in the 38th.

Last, but in no uncertain terms least, of the referees in the OM-ASNL duel is Lyon. The six times French champions are heading for yet another title. Alain Perrin’s men will visit the Vélodrome on the 6th of April. A match which could be a real decider as OM, who beat OL at Gerland earlier in the season, are more than capableof winning at home and taking all 3 precious points. A performance that Pablo Correa’s team will have more difficulty pulling off away to Lyon in the penumltimate game of the season, unless OL are mathematically assured of being Champions and let their international players rest before this summer’s Euro 2008…