Lille on brink of their first title while PSG will be praying they slip up

The Ligue 1 title race is set to provide an enthralling final-day showdown between Lille and Paris Saint-Germain.

Leaders Lille were within in touching distance of claiming their first title in 10 years last weekend but were held to a draw by Saint-Etienne, allowing PSG to close the gap to one point after thrashing Stade de Reims 4-0.

Now the pressure is mounting as Lille head into their game with Angers knowing a win will see them finish top.

Mauricio Pochettino will also be feeling the heat heading into PSG's fixture against Brest. The former Tottenhams boss was appointed in January with the expectation that he would deliver another Ligue 1 title.

With Sunday set to be the most exciting final day in France for some time, Sportsmail assess how both title contenders are shaping up.

Paris Saint-Germain

PSG have won seven of the last eight French top-flight titles and sat 12 points clear at the top of the table prior to the termination of the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Having finished 16 points clear the season before, many believed the 2020-21 campaign would be another PSG whitewash. However, the former champions are currently second, with everything still to play for in their final game of the season.

PSG must overcome Brest to be in with a chance of getting their hands on the title. Mauricio Pochettino's men must claim all three points against the 16th place side and hope that Lille slip up against Angers on May 23.

Should PSG pull through and secure the title for an eighth time in nine years, it will come off the back of one of their worst seasons to date.

The Parisians started the current campaign awfully - losing their opening game against Lens 1-0 before going on to produce an equally disappointing performance against Marseille.

That match not only saw them lose at home, but pick up several red cards for an injury-time brawl - setting the tone for the rest of the season.

PSG's miserable form continued, with the French side losing the same number of home games this season as they have in their previous seven seasons combined.

However, since Pochettino's arrival, they have rediscovered their form and pulled themselves together - winning 17 out of 20 Ligue 1 matches under their new boss.

The club also beat Monaco 2-0 on Wednesday night to claim the French Cup and build momentum heading into the final game of the season.

Nevertheless, pressure is mounting on the Pochettino as PSG have only ever finished second in 2017 - when Monaco claimed the title.

Lille

Lille finished last season in fourth place after the 2019-20 season was controversially curtailed. However, the French side are on track to pick up their first major trophy since 2011 as they sit top of the Ligue 1 table heading into the final game of the season.

Had results gone their way, Lille could have claimed their fourth top-flight title with a win over Saint-Etienne at the Stade Pierre Mauroy on Sunday. However, their inability to take all three points has brought the title race down to the wire.

Nevertheless, Lille's destiny rests in their own hands as they sit one point ahead of their rivals.

Christophe Galtier's side must collect all three points against Angers on May 23 to confirm their place as champions and prevent PSG from causing a last-minute upset.

A draw may not be good enough for the leaders as PSG could overtake them and claim the title if they beat Brest.

That being said, Lille have performed consistently this season - beating the league's weaker opponents while also holding Marseille and Lyon to a draw in their opening nine games.

As a result, they have occupied the top spot for the majority of the season - putting pressure on second-place PSG.

Lille have built up momentum heading into their must-win game - having won three of their last five games and draw the other two.

However, the Ligue 1 leaders must overcome their nerves to secure the 2020-2021 title after throwing their previous opportunity against Saint-Etienne away.

Speaking after their draw last week, Galtier said: 'We had a very bad start to the match, we weren't in our game plan at all. There was a lot of nervousness, we were probably caught up in the game. Next week we will have to do better.'