Bordeaux face a tough test of their credentials this weekend if they are to keep the race for the Ligue 1 title close.While Lyon, the leaders by one point, are at home to basement boys Metz, second-placed Les Girondins face in-form Lille just three days after their UEFA Cup last-32 clash with Anderlecht.
The games are coming thick and fast for Laurent Blanc's men but they are managing to cope pretty successfully.
After seeing Lyon drop points in their 1-0 defeat to Le Mans last Saturday, the pressure was on Bordeaux a day later when they took on Monaco away.
But the 6-0 triumph at the Stade Louis II dispelled any doubts that Les Girondins do not have the stomach for a full-blown title race and will have filled the team with confidence.
Lille are unbeaten in seven games, though, and will provide tough opposition on Sunday.
Lyon, meanwhile, will have been disappointed to have conceded a late goal to Manchester United on Wednesday in the 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
But their performance was markedly better than the tepid one they produced at Le Mans last weekend.
Midfielder Jeremy Toulalan said: "We bounced back and everything is still to play for (against United).
"Considering the effort we put in, it is a shame, even if the equaliser was perhaps fair.
"Now the important thing is to recover well in view of Saturday's game we have in the league against Metz. We have to approach that with the same desire."
Marseille's superb recent form makes them favourites to nick the third Champions League spot and they take on Toulouse away in Sunday's other match.
While OM are looking to make it four wins in a row in the league, Les Violets have dropped into the relegation zone on the back of four defeats in their last six games.
After a highly successful campaign last season, Toulouse coach Elie Baup is under increasing pressure and a clash against Marseille is the last thing he would have wanted.
Nancy currently occupy third place and they will look to bounce back from a 4-0 hammering at the hands of St Etienne last weekend when they host Lens on Saturday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, fifth-placed Nice welcome improving Auxerre, sixth-placed Le Mans go to Valenciennes and Caen entertain St Etienne in a mid-table battle.
Rennes, one place above the bottom three, welcome Brittany neighbours Lorient, Monaco travel to Paris Saint-Germain and second-bottom Sochaux go to Strasbourg.
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