Can Jonathan David lead Lille back to the Champions League? 

An expanded Champions League format next season is set to be a boon for Ligue 1, if not a marathon-watch for the viewers. This season, the top-three will earn an automatic spot in the competition with fourth being enough for a playoff place. 

So, a campaign that was previously drifting for Lille, might turn out to a successful one after all. With seven games to go, Lille are currently in fourth but are just four points off Brest, in second place. Les Dogues are also making headway in the Europa Conference League and face Aston Villa next week in the quarterfinals. 

Lille vs. Marseille - Friday 2:50PM ET - Live on beIN SPORTS

The key to a recent turnaround in form is Jonathan David officially being back in business after a sluggish first half of the campaign. The Canadian striker has scored seven of the team's last ten Ligue 1 goals, but has been assisted by a sensational spell of form from Kosovar midfielder, Edon Zhegrova, who was the star of the show in last weekend's huge 2-1 win in the Derby du Nord against Lens. 

Lille boss, Paulo Fonseca, is seeing Friday's match against Marseille as a huge one in the team's Champions League chase. The game has some extra spice seeing as the Portuguese coach is reportedly being lined up as the next coach at the Velodrome. "I think the end of the season will be important for my future," said a non-committal Fonseca ahead of Friday's colossal clash.

Will PSG benefit from perfect preparation for Barcelona? 🤔

The roses are blooming for PSG in France. The league title is a mere formality with the club probably needing just two or three more wins to lift the trophy for the 12th time. During the week, PSG reached the Coupe de France final for the first time in three years and already look favorites against their opponents, who will be a resurgent Lyon.

A dominating domestic double looks a strong possibility. But the big fish that PSG are looking to catch is the Champions League title. Again. That challenge continues on Wednesday with a quarterfinal, 1st-leg tie against Barcelona, the club where Luis Enrique won a treble. 

PSG vs. Clermont Foot - Saturday 2:50PM ET - Live on beIN SPORTS

For once, PSG's cranky coach is unlikely to be questioned by brave journalists on his Kylian Mbappe policy ahead of Saturday's clash against Clermont Foot. Enrique couldn't have chosen better opponents to face this weekend, to rest every single one of the club's big-hitters and still pick up three points. PSG are home against a team that is rock bottom of the standings, has the worst attack and second leakiest defense in the division. 
Saturday's game at the Parc de Princes may turn out to be a formality. But Wednesday's date with destiny certainly isn't.  

Can Brest survive a three-way battle for the Champions League?

Bayer Leverkusen have a strong case for being Europe's Most Valuable Team this season, unbeaten across all campaigns and with the Bundesliga title a mere formality, to break Bayern Munich's monopoly. 

Brest vs. Metz - Sunday 6:50AM ET - Live on beIN SPORTS

But Ligue 1's Brest must also be a front-runner. The 2nd-placed club certainly doesn't have the glamor of a coach like Xabi Alonso at the helm, but it has managed to stay competitive in the race for the Champions League places in Ligue 1 despite the odds being stacked against them. No star players, no history of success, but instead it's hard work, team spirit and passionate fans that are driving Brest to a season for the ages.  

Since December, Brest have conceded the fewest goals in Europe's top five leagues, which just six. In that spell, they have ground out 10 clean sheets. That has been the key to success. Up front, Brest have scored just 37 goals, only two more than Lorient in the relegation zone and 15 less than Monaco in third. Brest look set to hang on to 2nd place for another round with a home clash against struggling Metz, to keep up the pressure on the more illustrious Monaco and Lille, below them.