Ligue 1 preview: Ibrahimovic to miss crucial clash

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-German will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Saturday’s clash against champions Montpellier.

The Swedish goal machine was slapped with a two-game ban for his rash challenge on Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier in his team’s surprise 2-1 loss.

The loss of Ibrahimovic, who has scored a league-best 10 goals, will be a bitter blow for Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead of their tricky trip to the south coast.

The Paris outfit lead Marseille, who take on Nice and have a game in hand, only on goal difference having granted Elie Baup’s side a way back into the title race with the Saint-Etienne defeat.

PSG brushed aside Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday with a 4-0 win but did so with Ibrahimovic’s services.

Meanwhile, Marseille arrested a three-game winless league run with a timely 2-0 win at Ajaccio and host Nice on Sunday.

Last-placed Nancy host Rennes on Friday looking for their first win in 12 games in all competitions.

In other matches on Saturday, Lille can focus on Ligue 1 at home to Brest after their diabolical Champions League campaign ended in a 6-1 drubbing at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

With two games to play, Lille are without a point but are undefeated in their past four games in the league.

Fourth-placed Toulouse welcome Ajaccio to the Stadium Municipal, Reims tackle struggling Evian TG, Saint-Etienne entertain Troyes and Bastia are at home to Valenciennes in the other Saturday fixtures.

On Sunday, Sochaux will be looking for a second consecutive win when they play Lyon and mid-table Lorient host Bordeaux.