Ligue 1 preview: Tough week for leaders Lille

With four rounds remaining in Ligue 1, Lille have stretched their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Lyon did the league leaders a huge favour on Sunday when they beat second-placed Marseille 3-2.

Lille’s 1-0 win at Nancy on Saturday meant the northern France side moved one step closer to winning their first league title since 1954.

Rudi Garcia’s men, who had taken only one point from their previous two away fixtures before the Nancy clash, can boost their away record even further against eighth-placed St Etienne on Tuesday.

But Garcia may have one eye on Saturday’s French Cup final against PSG when he names his team for the trip to St Etienne.

Polish midfielder Ludovic Obraniak will miss the match as he completes his two-match suspension but league top scorer Moussa Sow, who was on the bench against Nancy, may get a run ahead of the cup showdown.

Garcia will closely monitor Tuesday’s other match between PSG and relegation-threatened Nancy.

On Wednesday, Marseille will aim to keep the pressure on Lille when they host 14th-placed Brest.

Visiting coach Alex Dupont will be hoping for a change in fortune for his team, who have drawn their last four league matches.

Brest are just one point away from the target of 43 which many suggest is the relegation cut-off point so the Brittany side will marshal their troops and hope for a share of the spoils.

But a draw is no good for Marseille.

Sunday’s loss has intensified the pressure from Lyon for second place and a Champions League berth.

Lyon, who had Brazilian defender Cris to thank for the 84th minute winner against Marseille, visit 13th-placed Auxerre.

Valenciennes, four points clear of the relegation zone, tackle a Toulouse side one place higher than them in 11th.

In other matches, Lens entertain Bordeaux, Montpellier tackle Lorient, Nice are at home to Arles, Stade Rennes host Caen and relegation-threatened Monaco face a tough task at Sochaux.