Ligue 1 preview: PSG juggernaut heads to Rennes

PSG continue their seemingly unstoppable pursuit of the Ligue 1 title at Rennes on Saturday, while resurgent Lille are at home to Lorient.

Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG clawed their way back in a pulsating 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday but have unfinished business to attend to domestically.

PSG are seven points clear of Marseille and will be buoyed by having twice come from behind to draw level with Barcelona through strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Blaise Matuidi.

With Thiago Motta absent with a groin strain, David Beckham was surprisingly deployed in central midfield by Ancelotti for the final 20 minutes on Tuesday but the Italian should be back available.

Rudi Garcia’s Lille are the form side in the competition having won six of their last seven Ligue 1 games.

They host Lorient on Sunday after defeating Brest 2-1 last start and will have Marvin Martin back from suspension.

Rio Mavuba and Djibril Sidibe remain sidelined with knee injuries while Martin is free to play after serving his third red card suspension this season.

Marseille stopper Nicolas Nkoulou’s thigh injury is not as bad as first thought and he could line up at home against Bordeaux on Friday.

Elie Baup’s side are undefeated in four and looking to shake the likes of Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Lille off their trail as well as keeping the pressure on PSG.

After three straight draws, fourth-placed Saint-Etienne welcome Evian in the hope of ending their mini slump, while Lyon are away at Reims.

Rock-bottom Troyes travel to Nancy with renewed hope after only one defeat in nine league games.

Sochaux are at home to Ajaccio, with neither yet clear of relegation danger, and Montpellier host mid-table Valenciennes.

Bastia entertain Brest and Toulouse take on sixth-placed Nice, who have lost three of their past four in the league.