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Valenciennes kick off the weekend with a match against an ASSE outfit far from comfortable on the road.

While VAFC lost out 1-0 at Nice in their last game, they're still looking good at home, with two 3-0 wins in a row no doubt worrying visiting boss Laurent Roussey.

His side have lost seven away games, winning just one, and sit four points behind their hosts. Only a win can put them back on the road to Europe.


Bordeaux, meanwhile, can potentially leapfrog Nancy into an automatic Champions League place with a win over Auxerre.

However, care is a must: the Girondins have only won two of their last six encounters with AJA here: despite a far superior all-time record, that does not bode well.

Neither side has yet to make a winter signing, but Auxerre arguably need it more. They're only three points clear of the dropzone, with just a single away win so far.


Caen, under the auspices of young Yoan Gouffran, are themselves on the verge of a Champions League spot, but Nancy already have them beat in that regard.

The Lorraine outfit are four points behind Lyon at the top of the table, and Pablo Correa's men have no intention of letting slip an historic chance to join Europe's big boys. But can they keep their form going?

Malherbe will hope not, and will look to the form books for inspiration. Nancy are away draw specialists, but Caen have tied just once, winning seven times on the north coast. Only cup elimination at the hands of Sedan has dampened their spirits of late.


MUC's early-season form begun to slowly wither away, but one cannot underestimate a side that's just a point behind Caen.

They're winless in their last two, but a pair of victories before that have kept them in contention. Like so many other Ligue 1 sides, they'll hope that their enviable home record - just one defeat so far - can see them past Sochaux.

Francis Gillot is preparing for his first Ligue 1 game in charge of the Lionceaux, having enjoyed a thumping 3-0 win over minnows Maubeuge in the Coupe de France already.


Troubled Lille have landed Jean-Alain Fran from Paris Saint-Germain in a surprise move, but one that coach Puhel believes can save the team from the ignominy of a relegation place.

Les Dogues have fallen dramatically since competing in the Champions League just a few short years ago, and are now just one point clear of relegation.

However, when a team's in trouble, Metz are there to help. Les Grenats are all but down themselves, having won just once in 19 games, sitting dead last on 7 points from a potential 57.

What's more, they haven't won at this ground since 1994.


Lyon will hope to have Fred's future sorted out in time for this fixture - it's one that could potentially see them go seven points clear at the top.

Alain Perrin's side sailed past Creteil in the Cup midweek, and their injury situation is clearing up - as such, they'll be hopeful of victory against UEFA Cup casualties Toulouse.

TEF, meanwhile, were victims of giant-killing from third-tier Paris FC in the last round of the Coupe de France. The capital club, who play in front of around 500 fans, edged their illustrious opponents 2-1.

With Johan Elmander set to enjoy his final few months at the club prior to an almost inevitable summer departure, it seems as if the poor omens are already starting for a Toulouse side that could be on the slide.


Monaco could leapfrog the Merlus with a win in this encounter, but they'll need to overcome inconsistency to do so - four wins, three draws and two losses at home is decent, but far from enviable.

Yannick Quesnel has signed on from Benfica but may not slot straight into the side: in any case, with one win in their last five, something has to change at the Louis II.

Lorient, meanwhile, are still within touching distance of the UEFA Cup spots, but have been unable to fully perform to their top capabilities of late. Having drawn their last three away games, it's not looking like being an easy game, either.


Strasbourg have begun to slip of late, winning just once since November in Ligue 1. Jean-Marc Furlan is starting to hear grumbles of discontent, but his mid-table side has a chance to make it four home wins from eleven against Nice.

The Cote d'Azur side have landed Cyril Jeunechamp from Rennes and Alaeddine Yahia of Sedan, raising spirits significantly. However, they've won just once away from their Cote d'Azur base all season.

Furthermore, they haven't won here on Ligue 1 duty since 1979.


Moving through to Sunday, and Paris Saint-Germain will once again hunt that elusive home win. Four draws and six losses in ten attempts have the long-suffering Parc fans beside themselves with anger, but coach Paul Le Guen is now adamant that now's the time for victory.

There have been no new signings yet, but it is hoped by the club hierarchy that Lyon's Fred will put pen to paper sooner rather than later.

Incredibly, though, the sang-et-or have won the last five league games here. Still, like Toulouse, Lens suffered a Cup humilation when Ligue 2 side Niort eliminated them, but will now look to new signings such as Lyon's Nadir Belhadj (3.6m euros) and Toifilou Maoulida (undisclosed) to steer them clear of the dropzone.

Finally, OM will look to continue their current renaissance away to Rennes.

The south coast men are unbeaten in seven Ligue 1 games and, having made three signings so far during the transfer window, things are finally starting to look up at the Velodrome.

Juan Krupoviesa, drafted in from Boca Juniors, is perhaps the most high-profile of the new men. While he's yet to learn French, he's stated himself ready to fit in to his new side's style of play.

Rennes, for their part, are now level on points with their visitors after going off the boil recently. However, new coach Guy Lacombe got off to a fine start in the Coupe with that 3-0 win at Martigues.

source:goal.com