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PSG Tackle Toulouse with Ligue 1 Summit at Stake

Second-placed Paris Saint-Germain have a chance to take control of Ligue 1 as the reigning champions travel south to Toulouse on Friday.

A win in the only French league fixture before the weekend's action would give Unai Emery's side a provisional two-point advantage on leaders Nice and third-placed Monaco.

Mario Balotelli's Nice travel to promoted Nancy on Sunday after Monaco, once again missing Radamel Falcao who suffered concussion in the 4-0 loss at Nice midweek, host Angers on Saturday.

PSG have been gaining momentum, bouncing back after a loss to Monaco and draws against Saint-Etienne and Arsenal in the Champions League, by crushing Caen 6-0 and promoted Dijon 3-0.

"I think that PSG have now really got their season going," said midfielder Adrien Rabiot after the win over Dijon. 

The club's positive results have muted criticism over Emery's decision to leave striker Hatem Ben Arfa on the sidelines.

The freshly recruited France international has not featured in the last three games as his egoism and lack of commitment in training has infuriated Emery.

The former Sevilla coach said he has yet to decide if the out-of-favor player will join the trip southwest.

"I'll make a decision after training this afternoon (Thursday). I treat all the players alike, I work in the same way with everyone."

The PSG coach will also be looking towards next week's Champions League game at Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets, as Laywin Kurzawa, Serge Aurier and Marco Verratti are all recovering from injuries.

Toulouse, meanwhile, are also riding high after two wins which have seen Pascal Dupraz's side move up to fifth.

The final match of the weekend will be the highly-anticipated clash between Marseille and Nantes.

Franck Passi's Marseille are under pressure as they sit just one point above the relegation zone, with just one win out of their six matches.

"Everyone is aware of what is happening, there's a war to win," said Passi. "We have to get up Thursday with the only thing in our head to beat the team we play this weekend. 

"At the end of the match (against Rennes) I was furious, I still am even if I'm not blaming anyone in particular," Passi added.

Rennes, sitting seventh, after their 3-2 win over Marseille, travel to promoted Dijon while Bordeaux in fourth host Caen and Lyon, two points behind, visit tailenders Lorient.

- War of words -

Meanwhile both PSG and Bastia officials will appear before a French disciplinary commission hearing on Thursday following the war of words after Brazilian striker Lucas appeared to be struck by an object in the opening match of the season in Corsica.

Bastia have filed a complaint for false accusation following the wording of PSG's letter denouncing the incident to the French Professional League (LFP).

"It's time that a permanent end be brought to these actions by Bastia which are detrimental to PSG and all those involved in Ligue 1," the capital club wrote.

Furious Bastia bosses said they were shocked by the "unprecedented denunciation of all those connected with the club -- players, leaders, public."

Fixtures (all times 1800GMT unless stated)

Friday

Toulouse v Paris SG (1845)

Saturday

Lorient v Lyon (1500)

Bastia v Guingamp

Bordeaux v Caen

Dijon v Rennes

Monaco v Angers

Montpellier v Metz

Sunday

Saint-Etienne v Lille (1300)

Nancy v Nice (1500)

Marseille v Nantes (1845)

Source: Agence France Presse


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