Juve hold edge in title race after victory over Palermo

Juventus moved closer to their 29th Serie A title with a 2-1 home win over Palermo yesterday.

Second-placed Milan won 3-2 at Parma, leaving Juventus three points clear of their rivals with one game to go. In next week's final round of games, Milan are at home to Roma and Juventus play away to Reggina but at a neutral ground.

The only way that Milan can now lift the title is if they win their final game and Juventus lose, leaving the teams tied but the crown going to Milan who have the better head-to-head record.

The battle for fourth place, which brings a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions' League, will also go down to the wire after Fiorentina defended their two-point advantage over Roma by crushing Reggina 5-2. Roma won 1-0 at home to Treviso.

Marseilles, Lens and Rennes have criticised Lyon for distorting the race for France's final Champions' League spot after the title-winners fielded a weakened team at Lille on Saturday.

Lyon, who rested their goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, Cris, captain Claudio Cacapa, midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, playmaker Juninho and striker Sylvain Wiltord, were beaten 4-0. The result leaves third-placed Lille leading Marseilles by two points with one match left. Rennes are fifth one point behind Marseilles with Lens a further point adrift.

Marseilles' sporting director Jose Anigo said, "Lyon's decision was damaging." The defeat saw Lille complete the double over the runaway champions but more importantly come close to sealing third place and a spot in the preliminary round of next season's Champions' League.

A point in their last match will seal a qualifying spot for Lille although they can be pipped by Marseilles who were held 2-2 by Strasbourg.