Monaco seek Rennes lifeline

By Chris Burke

The stakes are high for AS Monaco FC on Friday as last season's beaten UEFA Champions League finalists take on Stade Rennais FC, in real danger of falling too far behind Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyonnais, who travel to AC Ajaccio on Saturday.

Winless streak
Monaco have not won league a game since 22 September and, now 13 points adrift of Lyon, Didier Deschamps's men will be desperate to avoid a tenth game without victory. "We've forgotten what it feels like," said French international defender Gaël Givet but, with Shabani Nonda and Jaroslav Plašil joining Flavio Roma, Julien Rodriguez and Lucas Bernardi on the sidelines this week, reacquainting the club with winning ways will be far from straightforward.

Title hopes
Javier Saviola and Akis Zikos are set to return, though, and Givet's defensive partner Sébastien Squillaci is not giving up on the title yet. "It's still not impossible. Nothing's been decided," he said. Rennes, who have an injury doubt concerning Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, have still not won on their travels this season, but will gain confidence from their 4-1 triumph at Stade Louis II last term.

Lyon favourites
That result sealed Lyon's third straight championship crown, and Paul Le Guen's side look favourites to lift the trophy again after dispatching rivals AJ Auxerre last week. Five points clear and still unbeaten, Lyon visit Ajaccio without suspended full-back Anthony Réveillère, and should expect a tough game from the Corsicans who, despite lying in 19th place, have not lost at home since August. "We used to be a nice team. I want us to become a nightmare to beat," said coach Rolland Courbis.

Capital test
After three straight draws, second-placed LOSC Lille Métropole face another stern test, this time away to Paris Saint-Germain FC, who have Mario Yepes back from a suspension just as Edouard Cissé gets ready to serve his. The last side to frustrate Lille were RC Strasbourg and, having won their last three home games, the Alsace outfit will now be hoping to make life difficult for third-placed FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Troussier debut
Elsewhere, Philippe Troussier takes charge of Olympique de Marseille for the first time away at SM Caen, while RC Lens v FC Metz, FC Nantes Atlantique v OGC Nice, AS Saint-Etienne v Toulouse FC and FC Istres v SC Bastia complete the day's fixtures. On Sunday, fourth meets sixth when Auxerre play FC Girondins de Bordeaux.