Lille look to rein in Lyon

By Chris Burke

With Olympique Lyonnais threatening to run away with the title, their rivals must pick up points this weekend - not least LOSC Lille Métropole, who travel to FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Saturday, and AS Monaco FC who are at home to SM Caen.

Lille comeback
After their midweek loss to Olympique de Marseille, Lille are now six points behind Lyon, and need to pick themselves up quickly with next week's encounter with the French champions looming on the horizon. "We'll see against Bordeaux whether the Marseille result spurs us on or bursts our bubble," said captain Philippe Brunel. The last time Lille won in Bordeaux was back in the 1966/67 season, but the home side are currently hit by injuries to Camel Meriem, Franck Jurietti, Jean-Claude Darcheville and Albert Riera.

Monaco mission
Third-placed Monaco laboured to victory against bottom-club FC Istres on Wednesday, but still trail the leaders by nine points. "We must build on that victory by beating Caen," said coach Didier Deschamps, who will be aware that the Normandy side frustrated Paris Saint-Germain FC with a goalless draw in their last outing. A point behind the principality club, AJ Auxerre will also be keen to reaffirm their title credentials when they host a FC Sochaux-Montbéliard team targeting a European berth.

Lyon caution
Lyon themselves are hot favourites against FC Metz, whose last away win came back in August. Indeed, the only notes of caution concerning their championship chances seem to be coming from the Stade Gerland itself, with coach Paul Le Guen insisting: "There's still a long way to go." Bryan Bergougnoux scored on his first start against Sochaux on Wednesday, but may cede his place if Florent Malouda recovers from illness.

Rothen ready
Toulouse FC have been steadily climbing the table and the sixth-placed side venture north to face PSG, for whom Jérôme Rothen could return after almost three months out. Elsewhere, this weekend's Corsican derby sees AC Ajaccio face fellow relegation candidates SC Bastia, while Istres will hope to get something from their trip to RC Lens.

Southern derby
FC Nantes Atlantique take on Stade Rennais FC and RC Strasbourg welcome AS Saint-Etienne, before Sunday brings another derby when Marseille face neighbours OGC Nice in a game that promises goals. Nice have scored the most goals in Ligue 1 - but boast the second-worst defensive record.