Lyon, who host Toulouse on Saturday, begin the second half of the season in top spot but their four-point lead is less comfortable than last season's big advantage of 14.

"This year, we don't have a joker. We have to win all our matches in January to show who is the boss," said striker Karim Benzema.

The French champions will be without injured striker Sidney Govou. Coach Alain Perrin has also dropped Brazilian centre-forward Fred, who is set to be transferred to Paris St Germain according to media reports.

Monaco coach Ricardo will hand Djamel Bakar his first Ligue 1 start against Lorient on Saturday as a reward for scoring a hat-trick last weekend in the French Cup.

"It's a bit strange to be in such a position for an 18-year-old like myself. The phone hasn't stopped ringing all week but I know I still have to prove myself," Bakar said.

Paris St Germain are approaching Sunday's game against Lens as "a six-point match", according to goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.

PSG languish 16th in the 20-team league, just two points clear of the drop zone and 18th-placed Lens.

Marseille will welcome back international playmaker Samir Nasri, sidelined by an ankle injury since the end of November, for their game at Rennes on Sunday.

"We gave one more week to Samir to make sure he had recovered. He is feeling well. The last training sessions have cleared the last doubts," coach Eric Gerets said.

Reuters