Rennes boost Champions League hopes with win at Strasbourg

Rennes won 3-0 at Strasbourg on Sunday to boost their chances of playing in next season's Champions League.

Rennes are provisionally up to fourth after the victory at a Strasbourg side clearly fatigued after winning through to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals on Thursday.

Esteban Lepaul is now Ligue 1's outright leading scorer after putting Rennes in front with his 17th of the season, before Breel Embolo and Mousa Al-Tamari also netted for the away side in Alsace.

Rennes have won seven out of nine games since sacking coach Habib Beye in February, and are just a point behind third-placed Lille who drew 0-0 with Nice on Saturday.

The top three in Ligue 1 qualify directly for the Champions League, with the team finishing fourth entering in the third qualifying round.

Marseille are fifth after losing 2-0 at Lorient on Saturday, while Lyon are a point behind them in sixth.