Clermont Foot relegated to Ligue 2, Lorient on the brink | OneFootball

Clermont Foot’s 1-0 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday sees Pascal Gastien’s side officially relegated to Ligue 2. Heading into the final day of the season, they are four points behind FC Metz, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.

FC Lorient almost joined them in dropping into France’s second division. They have RC Strasbourg Alsace to thank for keeping them mathematically alive going into the final day of the season. Patrick Vieira’s side netted a late brace against Les Grenats in the Derby de l’Ést, securing a win (2-1) that keeps Metz anchored in the relegation play-off spot. They are three points ahead of Lorient heading into the final day and have a significantly better goal difference (+7) making Les Merlus’ chance of an unlikely escape slim.

Metz themselves are all but assured of competing in the relegation play-off. Le Havre AC are three points ahead of Laszlo Bölöni’s side but have a significantly better goal difference (+11). Despite a 2-1 loss to Lille OSC, FC Nantes are now mathematically safe, which also guarantees Antoine Kombouaré’s place on the sidelines at the Beaujoire next season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle