As the final five rounds of Ligue 1 soccer draw to a close, it looks like a battle for survival is in full swing. Two teams, Nantes and Clermont, have their backs against the wall as they try to secure their place in the top flight next season.
Nantes, currently sitting in tenth place, has been one of the most impressive teams in the league this season. However, they face a tough test in the form of a game against Saint-Etienne on Saturday. A win would give them breathing room and potentially put them into second place, but a loss could see them slip down to the relegation zone.
Clermont, meanwhile, find themselves in even more dire straits. They sit at the bottom of the table, just two points above the drop zone. Their fate is in the hands of just three other teams, all of whom are also fighting for survival. A win or draw in their remaining games would be enough to keep them up, but a defeat will almost certainly lead to their relegation.
Both teams know that every point counts, and every game is crucial. But with just five rounds left, time is running out for both. The pressure is on these two struggling teams to come up with some last-minute heroics if they want to avoid the drop.
The struggle for survival continues, and only time will tell who will make it through to the new season.