Montpellier only need to avoid defeat at already-relegated Auxurre to claim an historic maiden Ligue 1 title Sunday.
The league leaders go into the final round of games with a three-point lead over Paris Saint-Germain and know a draw at cellar-dwellers Auxurre will be enough to clinch the title.
However, if Montpellier loses, it opens the door for PSG, who would then need to beat relegation-threatened Lorient to pinch the trophy.
With so much at stake and arguably Montpellier s biggest match in their history, manager Rene Girard is remaining focused, insisting his side prepared the same way they have all season.
We tried to prepare this game like any other game, even if it s not an ordinary game. But we did not change our preparation. We know it s difficult with everything around us, with the environment. It s complicated, the 58-year-old said.
The end of a season is the moment when I need to make sure that everyone is focused on what we have to achieve. The importance of the game in relation to the title race should push us to stay focused. But it s true that it s not a normal week even our preparations are the same.
Their opponents Auxurre have managed just seven victories all season and will play in Ligue 2 next year after spending 32 years in the top division.
But Girard believes the 1996 French champions do not deserve to be relegated and says his team will have to be at their best to secure the point they need.
When we look at their squad, how effective they ve been and their quality, I think it s fair to say their season has been a nightmare. They don t deserve that, he said.
We just hope that they will not wait until the last game to give their best, to make up for their disappointment.
Their players are professionals. They must respect their fans and put in the effort. It s a talented team despite their place in the league and their relegation. We must stay focus during the entire game.
Following Lyon s seven successive French league titles, Montpellier is aiming to become the fifth different champion since 2008.
