Ligue 1 preview: Title rivals clash

Leaders Lille host Claude Puel’s Lyon as first meets fourth in a Ligue 1 blockbuster on Sunday.

Four points separate the title rivals, and Puel’s men will be aiming to capitalise on Lille’s unexpected 1-0 defeat to Montpellier last time out and cut their gap on Rudi Garcia’s side to one point.

Puel claims his side are in their best shape yet to topple the leaders, having scored four goals in each of their past two league outings.

“There’s some chemistry within the squad,” Puel said.

“It shows the quality of our squad and its mindset. If we keep that mindset, we can do some very good things until the end of the season.”

Lille boss Garcia admitted his side did not look like genuine championship contenders in the Montpellier defeat, a result which ended their 13-match unbeaten streak.

“We were no longer used to not taking points,” Garcia said.

“We’ll have to refocus and make sure everybody does more because we didn’t see a team leading the league, and doing anything to take points.”

Fresh from securing a spot in the final 16 of the Europa League, Paris Saint-Germain can build more confidence with a home victory over Toulouse.

Elsewhere, Nancy, who have lost five of their past six league clashes, must overcome another large hurdle in their relegation battle when they host third-placed Marseille.

On Saturday, second-placed Stade Rennes host relegation-threatened Lens, Saint-Etienne and Nice go head-to-head with both sides looking to break two-game losing streaks, while Sochaux welcome Montpellier to the Stade Auguste Bonal.

In other fixtures, Valenciennes take on Lorient, Bordeaux host Auxerre, Caen travel to Monaco and bottom side Arles face Brest.