Monaco poised for French crown after 17 years

Paris: Free-scoring Monaco could wrap up a first Ligue 1 title in 17 years on Sunday as defending champions Paris Saint-Germain need a near-miracle to earn a fifth straight championship.

Monaco enjoy a three-point lead, have a massive goal-difference advantage of 19 and even hold a game in hand as they host 11th placed Lille, with the Parisians facing a tough trip to Saint Etienne’s raucous stadium.

A Monaco victory would all but mathematically secure the title, while PSG must at least match their result to keep alive any semblance of suspense.

Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought Monaco in 2011 when they were bottom of Ligue 2, yet after major investment and spectacular progress they came soaring back to finish second in Ligue 1 in 2013/14.