Marseille striker Mamadou Niang has backed Rennes to do his side a huge favour on the last Ligue 1 day of the season this weekend.

Heading into Saturday's final round of matches Marseille lie in fourth, a point off the last Champions League place currently occupied by Nancy.

And with Rennes travelling to play Nancy, Marseille's hopes of creeping into Europe's premier club competition next season firmly lie with the Brittany club.

Assuming Marseille beat already-relegated Strasbourg at the Stade Velodrome, Nancy need to win against Rennes to secure that lucrative final Champions League spot. But any dropped points could see them beaten to it at the final hurdle.

Seventh-placed Rennes travel to the Stade Marcel Picot with nothing left to play for this season, prompting speculation over where their motivation for the game will come from.

But Niang, who is Ligue 1's second top scorer this term with 17 goals, is sure he can count on his fellow professionals to give their all.

"I know that Rennes are going to play seriously at Nancy," Niang told the club's official website.

"They are professionals who still have something to play for. Even Strasbourg, who haven't anything left to play for, are going to come to the Velodrome to finish their season on a high note. That's why it will not be easy for us.

"We will do what we have to do and afterwards we will see what Nancy have done."

Should Marseille pip Nancy to the place in the qualifying round of the Champions League, it will cap a remarkable comeback from the south coast club.

An abysmal start to the season saw them fall into 19th place back in November, but since the turn of the year their form has been markedly improved and a place in European competition is now within touching distance.

"We will be disappointed if we do not finish third. But considering the effort put in since the 13th matchday, we can be satisfied because we have come back from far.

"We were 19th but we have managed to string together a series of wins to put us in contention for third place. We should have taken it last Saturday, but we've still got a chance."

Regardless results elsewhere on Saturday, a point for Marseille will see them at least secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport