Nice seek response as rivals step up chase

PARIS: French league leaders Nice will look to shake off a first defeat of the season as chasing duo Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain attempt to crank up the pressure on Lucien Favre's side this weekend.

A 1-0 loss at Caen before the international break saw Nice's lead at the top trimmed to three points, and they could find themselves knocked from the summit with Monaco visiting bottom side Lorient on Friday.

Nice's staying power will be sorely tested with a run of 10 matches in 31 days to finish the year, starting with Sunday's trip to Saint-Etienne, who are unbeaten Fixtures Saturday Lorient v Monaco (2am), Lille v Lyon (3:45am) Sunday Paris Saint-Germain v Nantes (12:05am), Bastia v Montpellier, Nancy v Dijon, Rennes v Angers, Toulouse v Metz (all 3am), Guingamp v Bordeaux (10pm), Marseille v Caen (11:55pm Monday), Saint-Etienne v Nice (3:45am Monday) at home this season.

"We had the break to clear our minds. Saint-Etienne will be a big match. It's our job to eradicate the bad things from the last few games. We want to restart well," midfielder Wylan Cyprien told Canal+ Sport.

Monaco underlined their burgeoning ambitions with a 60 thumping of Nancy last time out and will hope to follow that performance with another win at Lorient, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

"Things are going well but you have to know how to keep it going. The difference between great players and the others is being able to maintain your best level each match," said coach Leonardo Jardim.

"The game before the Champions League is always important to win, both for confidence and to maintain the momentum," he added, knowing his side can punch their ticket to the last 16 in Europe with a draw against Spurs.

However, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko warned the appointment of former Marseille and France defender Bernard Casoni as the new Lorient coach could spark a reaction from the struggling Brittany club.

"It's always tough against Lorient. The cards are dealt over again with a new coach," said Bakayoko. - AFP