Lens dream of Europe and spoiling Lille's chase for Ligue 1 glory

As the crow flies across the flatlands of northern France, 28 kilometres separate Lens from Lille. With three games remaining of the French top flight season, 20 points and four places lie between the football teams from the cities.

Lille coach Christophe Galtier is attempting to take the club to their first Ligue 1 title since 2011. FRANCK FIFE AFP/Archives

Ligue 1 pacesetters Lille go into the derby clash at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday night aiming to extend their lead to four points over second-placed Paris Saint-Germain who play on Sunday at Rennes.

Lens, who are fifth, welcome their title-chasing neighbours with aspirations of their own - a chance to feature in next season's Europa League a year after they were promoted from the second division.

"Lens is having a superb season, which is extraordinary for a promoted team," said Lille boss Christophe Galtier.

"We're focused on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents and we know what is at stake."

Pressure

A victory for the visitors would increase the pressure on a demoralised PSG who, five days after crashing out of the Champions League, will face a Rennes side also seeking Europa League football next season.

"We're in fifth place," said Lens coach Franck Haise. "We will try to play with our principles and our identity of play - without complexes - even if we know that Lille is better than us."

On 1 May, Lens went down 2-1 to PSG at the Parc des Princes. Less than a week later they could pave the way for PSG to regain the ascendance as they hunt for an eighth title in nine years.

"It's not like we can say we've achieved our objectives because we want to go higher," said Lens playmaker Gael Kakuta. "And if we can deny Lille the title, that would be nice too."

Galtier, who has stressed the importance of collective hard work during the final games, said his players were under no illusions about the challenges until the end of the season.

"I think PSG will win their last three league games, so we will need to do the same if we want to stay top."