Lyon return to the domestic stage

Lyon striker John Carew runs with the ball during the Champions League match against Rosenborg. Lyon, who top their Champions League group after a midweek win over Rosenborg, return to their quest for a fifth straight title at struggling Rennes this weekend.

Lyon, who top their Champions League group after a midweek win over Dutch side Rosenborg, return to their quest for a fifth straight title at struggling Rennes this weekend.

Gerard Houllier's side, who make the trip to Brittany missing suspended trio Lamine Diatta, Anthony Reveillere and Jeremy Berthod, go into Sunday's game with a four point lead over Paris Saint Germain.

PSG host Nantes at the Parc des Princes aiming to consolidate their position as Lyon's main challengers.

They are placed one point above third side Bordeaux, who visit bottom team Metz seeking to extend their record to seven games without defeat.

PSG defender Sylvain Armand believes Lyon are looking vulnerable.

"I watched the Nantes v Lyon match (last weekend) and the Lyonnais did not impress me.

"At the end of the match even Sylvain Wiltord admitted that the three points were a miracle.

"Lyon are not invincible this campaign and I am sure they will soon lose."

Manager Laurent Fournier for once is set to field a full strength side with no injuries and Jerome Rothen due to return after a left thigh injury.

Monaco, who have mustered only 11 points, will be looking to follow up Thursday's UEFA Cup first round win over Wilhem II Tilburg with a result against Lille, who were also on European duty this week, drawing 0-0 with Villareal in the Champions League.

This will be Jean Petit's last game as Monaco's caretaker manager with a permanent successor to former coach Didier Deschamps expected to be named this weekend.

After seeing off Wilhem II Tilburg to make it through to the UEFA Cup second round Petit said: "It's a great relief after the trauma when we were knocked out of the Champions League."

He will be hoping to end his brief tenure at the Monaco helm on a high against Lille.

Before the season got underway Le Mans would have figured on most lists of teams likely to be relegated but the first division newcomers are going great guns, belying their humble status in sixth place.

They're on the road to former European heavyweights St Etienne in eighth spot.

Marseille captain Frederic Dehu meanwhile misses the game at Nice on Sunday with an Achilles tendon problem but manager Jean Fernandez will be welcoming back Portuguese midfielder Jose Delfim and Peruvian striker Andres Mendoza.

Fixtures

Saturday

PSG v Nantes, Metz v Bordeaux, Sochaux v Nancy, St Etienne v Le Mans

Sunday

Ajaccio v Lens, Lille v Monaco, Nice v Marseille, Rennes v Lyon, Toulouse v Auxerre, Troyes v Strasbourg