Championnat National Final Week Preview

Tonight is the final round of games in the Championnat National.

There is still much that can be decided tonight at the top and the bottom of the table.

At the top there is the interesting battle between Guingamp and Strasbourg for the final promotion spot. It is an interesting battle because Strasbourg have already completed their season. This is due to the odd number of teams in the league this year, meaning that in every gameweek one team does not play.

Currently both clubs have 77 points but Strasbourg sit third as they have the better record in results between the two teams. This means that Guingamp need at least a point away at Rouen to win promotion.

Rouen currently occupy 8th spot and have nothing left to play for this season, however they will not make it easy for their visitors in what should be a very close and tense game.

It also looks likely to be a tense night at the bottom of the table, with three teams fighting for safety, but two of them will be relegated.

Gap currently sit one place above the relegation zone on 42 points and  look to be the favourites to survive but Bayonne and Rodez who both have 40 points will be looking to leap above them to safety.

A point for Gap will be enough for them to confirm their survival, but should they lose then a win for either of the teams below them will see them relegated. If both Bayonne and Rodez win, Bayonne will come out on top thanks to their results against Rodez this season.

It is a complicated situation at the bottom and at this moment it is difficult to call.

Elsewhere there is nothing else to play for except the golden boot award which looks to be between current top scorer Thibault Giresse of Guingamp who has 21 goals and second placed David Suarez of already promoted Bastia who has 20 goals.

Fixtures:

  • Créteil – Gap
  • Luzenac – Paris
  • Rodez – Niort
  • Fréjus St-Raphaël – Beauvais
  • Amiens SC – Bastia
  • Pacy Vallée-d’Eure – Plabennec
  • Orléans – Colmar
  • Bayonne – Cannes
  • Rouen – Guingamp

All matches kick off at 7pm GMT

Abeid To Join Newcastle United This Summer

Newcastle have completed the signing of RC Lens midfielder Mehdi Abeid after he admitted he is signing for them after a successful trial.

The 18-year-old said: “I have had contact dating back some time and I visited the facilities there last week.

“I even trained with the reserve team.

“The leaders of the club told me about their plans and that they will rely on me for next season.

“For my part, I intend to give everything to develop in the Premier League.

“I already discussed things with Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote and they encouraged me and welcomed my signature.”

M’Vila Commits Himself To Rennes

Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila is one of the most sought after players this summer with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all chasing the young Frenchman.

Despite all this interest, he has decided to sign a contract extension that runs until 2015. Rennes have had an impressive season and will not want to lose their prize assets this summer, the contract extension on M’Vila will help them to price some clubs out of the market.

M’Vila originally had a deal at Rennes until 2014 but has decided to add another year to his contract in a move that has allowed the club to protect his market value for when they eventually cash in on him.

Hazard Voted French Player Of The Year

Exciting Lille midfielder Eden Hazard has been voted the French Player of the Year by his peers.

The 20-year-old Hazard, who has been the subject of much transfer speculation from Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spurs, was instrumental in Lille winning the double of the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France this season.

Hazard scored seven goals and created nine assists this season. He made his Lille debut as a 16-year-old and recently signed a new contract with the club until 2015.

Hazard had won the Young Player of the Year over the past two seasons. He won Sunday’s award ahead of teammate Moussa Sow – the league’s top scorer – Lorient forward Kevin Gameiro and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Nene.

Wenger Keen On Lorient’s Manga

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is hoping to raid Lorient for a defender again this summer.

The Mirror believes Arsenal have scouted Lorient defender Bruno Ecuele Manga, 22.

Manga replaced Laurent Koscielny in the Lorient line-up when he signed for Arsenal last summer.

Wenger is eager to add a new centre-half to his squad this summer after a string of dissappoint defensive displays this season.