Marseille coach Didier Deschamps is hoping last night's goalless draw against Rennes might temper expectations that his side will cruise to a second consecutive Ligue 1 title.

His team were a touch fortunate to escape with a share of the spoils - goalkeeper Steve Mandanda saving an early penalty from Jires Kembo-Ekoko - and former FIFA World Cup™ winner Deschamps believes the stalemate might do them good in the long term.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Nice, Deschamps, whose side are a point clear of second-placed Lille and Brest, said: "If we had won, you [the press] would have said we were already champions. Perhaps now the words will be a bit more moderate.

"The road is still long. There are still four league games to go until the winter break, three of which are away, and the Chelsea game in the middle. The schedule is not easy."

The road is still long. There are still four league games to go until the winter break, three of which are away, and the Chelsea game in the middle. The schedule is not easy.
Didier Deschamps, Marseille coach

Nice are 16th in the table, three points above the relegation zone.

Brest face a tricky test on Sunday with an away trip to a Paris St Germain side who are in UEFA Europa League action against Sevilla tonight, while Lille host Lorient 24 hours earlier.

Bordeaux, in seventh, go to St Etienne in the late game on Sunday and defender Matthieu Chalme is happy with their progress so far under new coach Jean Tigana.

Chalme, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, told RMC: "We have had a lot of criticism since the start of the season, some of it justified, but we are still there or thereabouts.

"If we get criticised when we are still among the leading clubs then it doesn't worry me. The main thing is results."

On Saturday, sixth-placed Montpellier host Lyon, who are unbeaten in five Ligue 1 games, a run which has seen them climb to eighth.

At the bottom, Arles will hope to register just their second win of what has turned out to be a difficult campaign following promotion when they host Nancy.

Lens, who are second bottom, take on Auxerre while Caen, who complete the relegation places, go to Toulouse.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Sochaux meet Valenciennes and Rennes take on Monaco.