Rudi Garcia has not given up hope of his Lille side retaining their Ligue 1 title, after a superb run guided them to within five points of leaders Montpellier, albeit with only two games to go.

Les Dogues have won eight of their last nine games, the last one of which - a 3-0 victory over Caen - guaranteed them UEFA Champions League football next season.

However, Lille travel to Montpellier on Sunday, with their hosts have lost just once at home all season. Garcia, though, is looking to maintain their recent form and at the very least leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain, who are two points ahead in second.

He told Ligue1.com: "Now that we're assured of at least third place, our appetite is growing. We want to do even better and we'll give all we've got to clinch second place, or even jump right into the lead.

We haven't sat any higher than third place all season, and it's about time we did. What's for sure is that we have what it takes to win in Montpellier.
Rudi Garcia

"The difference from last season is that we're not in the lead, even though we have practically the same number of points. It's out of our hands, even though we're playing a direct rival on Sunday."

Garcia also feels the fact they have never been favourites this season has benefited them.

"Obviously there is less pressure on us," he said. "When you're in the lead for practically three quarters of the season, it's devastating to drop from first place.

"Conversely, we haven't sat any higher than third place all season, and it's about time we did. What's for sure is that we have what it takes to win in Montpellier.

"I don't know whether a win there will be enough, but any way you cut it, we're only two points behind Paris and if we win on Sunday, we'll take three points off Montpellier. Everything is still possible on the final day. We'll see what happens."