Preview: A must-win for Marseille's European ambitions against Reims | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille will travel to the Champagne region still harbouring hopes of European qualification, yet Les Olympiens have to win against a Reims side who have improved lately in Ligue 1

Marseille travel to Reims on Wednesday evening still with the slim chance of a European position battle on the final day this weekend. Jean Louis-Gasset's side currently sit three points behind Lens and Lyon, and a win for Les Olympiens would see all three clubs go into the final day on 50 points. OM's goal difference is also superior to the other two sides, which could play in their favour by the end of the weekend: but only if they win tonight.

WATCH: Marseille cruise to win over FC Lorient

Stade de Reims managed a 1-1 draw with Brest in their last outing (their first since the departure of Will Still). Whilst it extended Les Rouges et Blancs' winless run to six matches in Ligue 1, it stopped a three-game losing run against the Champions League-chasing side. History hasn't favoured Reims recently against OM: the Champagne-based side have lost their last four Ligue 1 encounters against Marseille, their longest current run against a top flight-opponent.

This was a game that was initially postponed to give Marseille time to prepare for their Europa League semi-final second leg against Atalanta BC (3-0). Les Olympiens however responded to their European exit with a 3-1 win over Lorient last weekend, which put them within touching distance of a Lens side who could only draw against Rennes last weekend.

Jean-Louis Gasset: "We have to qualify for Europe"

OM manager Jean-Louis Gasset is determined for his side to reach the final European spot. He knows that a win over Reims would allow Les Olympiens to have their destiny in their own hands when approaching the final day. "Getting to Europe is a duty, in fact it's an obligation [for Marseille]," said Gasset in his pre-match press conference. "If we finish as a European team, I'll be able to leave with a clear conscience. I'll have the feeling of a job well done."

Reims vs Marseille: Likely lineups

Stade de Reims: Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Akieme; Muntesi, Richardson, Teuma; Nakamura, Diakite, Ito

Olympique de Marseille: Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Kondogbia, Veretout, Merlin; Ndiaye, Harit; Aubameyang