<p>PARIS — Marseille labored to a 2-0 home win against last-place Dijon on Sunday but strengthened its bid for a Europa League place after its rivals dropped points over the weekend.</p>
<p>The scrappy victory moved sixth-place Marseille one point behind Lens in fifth place and a Europa League spot next season. Rennes and Montpellier dropped three points behind Marseille by drawing their matches on Sunday, the day after Lens was held by Lyon.</p>
<p>It was a third win in four games for Marseille’s new coach, Jorge Sampaoli, but he was clearly frustrated at times.</p>
<p>Dijon has not won this year, losing 11 straight league games and drawing the other three. Despite facing poor opposition, Marseille struggled to create anything in a drab first half. </p>
<p>Seconds before the break, Argentina center back Leonardo Balerdi, who is on loan from Borussia Dortmund, headed in Dimitri Payet’s corner at the near post.</p>
<p>Payet set up the second goal for another central defender as Alvaro Gonzalez nodded home from his free kick in the 78th.</p>
<p>Montpellier was held 1-1 at Angers while Rennes needed a late equalizer from striker Serhou Guirassy to draw 2-2 with Reims.</p>
<p>English striker Stephy Mavididi’s header just after halftime earned him a ninth goal of the season for Montpellier, but Stephane Bahoken equalized for Angers in the 71st.</p>
<p>In other matches Sunday, it was: Lorient 1, Brest 0; Bordeaux 2, Strasbourg 3; Nantes 1, Nice 2; and Nimes 0, Saint-Etienne 2.</p>
<p>Denmark striker Kasper Dolberg netted twice for Nice.</p>
<p>Twenty years after winning its eighth league title, former league standout Nantes is 19th and deep in relegation trouble with just seven games remaining.</p>
<p>A hectic Saturday saw defending champion Paris Saint-Germain lose at home to Lille, which is three points clear at the top. </p>
<p>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-boye-lille-kevin-volland-cesc-fabregas-wissam-ben-yedder-594045e62e4aeaf3857f195a46cf32ce">PSG star Neymar was sent off </a> for the second time this season.</p>
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