Lille coach Rudi Garcia believes his team merit their position at the top of the Ligue 1 standings - even though he knows it may not be for long. The leaders travel to Bordeaux on Saturday on the back of three successive league wins - a run that has given them the edge over second-placed Montpellier on goal difference.

But the top of the table has a congested look to it with just two points separating the top eight teams. And Garcia is aware they have to keep their run going this weekend or they will find themselves below a Bordeaux side currently ranked seventh.

"Sitting in first place is our reward for all the hard work we put in on a daily basis," he told the club's official website, losc.fr. "But the championship is very tight. When you look at the standings there is a two-point difference between eight teams.

"This means everything can change in one weekend, especially on days when there are matches between direct rivals, as is the case for us against Bordeaux. Things can happen, even if we manage to continue our winning streak."

Everything can change in one weekend, especially on days when there are matches between direct rivals, as is the case for us against Bordeaux.
Rudi Garcia, Lille coach

Like Lille, Montpellier face a fellow title rival in defending champions Marseille. OM sit two points off the lead in fifth and Montpellier assistant coach Pascal Baills has predicted a tricky evening for his players at the Stade Velodrome.

"Marseille are a physical team, athletic with power and speed, and it will take courage on our part and also technical quality," he told mhscfoot.fr. "If we do not get the ball we will suffer, but if we manage to keep hold of it it might be interesting for us. One thing I am sure of is we will have to have a great game if we want to achieve something there."

Third-placed Paris St Germain take on Lyon on Sunday in another contest between two top-eight teams. PSG are looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run while Les Gones are hoping for an immediate response to their 3-0 midweek defeat at Schalke in the Champions League.

Former leaders Brest are aiming to arrest a run of three matches without a win when they take on lowly Lens on Saturday evening, while Rennes are another of the contenders for top spot and travel to Lorient this weekend.

Also on Saturday, Monaco and Nice meet in a Mediterranean derby between two sides battling it out at the wrong end of the table. Nice lie 15th in the standings, just two points and two places better off than their opponents.

Bottom side Arles are searching for their second win of the season at Valenciennes while Nancy welcome St Etienne to the Stade Nungesser.

On Sunday, Caen could escape the drop zone if they beat Sochaux with Auxerre meeting Toulouse in a mid-table contest.