PARIS (AFP) - Just over a decade ago, with the likes of George Weah in attack and David Ginola on the wing, Paris Saint Germain ranked as one of Europe's top clubs.

But a home loss on Sunday against sixth-placed Nice would leave the capital club staring at the drop after a dismal season whose black clouds did not lift even with last month's League Cup final win over Lens.

Even that success brought only approbrium as PSG fans sparked outrage by unfurling a banner during the match calling the visiting team "paedophiles" and "inbreds," prompting condemnation from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Police are investigating following the incident which saw the Parisians mock rival fans they derided as "paedophiles, unemployed, inbreds" in bidding them "welcome to the home of the Ch'tis," the nickname of people from northeast France.

A film about the Ch'tis is currently a huge attraction in French cinemas and the PSG fans' action has caused nationwide outrage.

In a sporting context at least it would be almost as shocking if the club were to suffer relegation and on Thursday they were sweating on the fitness of Portuguese striker Pauleta, who suffered an ankle knock in training.

A trip to the treatment room showed bruising but "it's only a knock," the former Bordeaux striker insisted afterwards.

"The ankle has swollen up - but I should be okay," he forecast.

PSG will definitely welcome back Colombian defender Mario Yepes, following three weeks out with a calf problem to resume action alongside Zoumana Camara with impressive teen deputy Mamadou Sakho dropping back to the bench.

Lyon, heading for yet another coronation, will move a step closer to glory against Rennes if they can take advantage of the return of France striker Karim Benzema who is set to return after three weeks out with a knee injury.

"Karim will be there - and so will Fred," said coach Alain Perrin, whose charges suffered in Marseille with Benzema missing and Fred taken off with a calm problem and a knee strain.

With Lyon six points clear of Bordeaux - who Sunday host Caen - and Saturday hosting UEFA Cup hopefuls Rennes as they motor towards a seventh straight title despite a loss to Marseille in their last outing the focus is increasingly on the relegation battle.

There, the permutation appears to be any two from four clubs to fall through the trapdoor, joining doomed Metz.

All four - Toulouse, Lens, PSG and Strasbourg - are level on 35 points with just six games remaining.

Toulouse have to negotiate a trip to Monaco, who despite a disappointing season are all but safe with a five-point cushion.

Toulouse is a city traditionally more renowned for the quality of its rugby than its football but two of the squad resorted to using their hands when Brazilian midfielder Paulo Cesar and Senegalese teammate Fode Mansare came to blows earlier this year, leading to a suspension for the former.

Cesar told Radio Monte Carlo on Thursday that Mansare had not shown enough "respect" and he had struck out at the African.

"Fode Mansare was looking for trouble with everyone in training," Cesar said.

"We aren't friends," he stated, adding he believed the Senegalese should also have been suspended but accepted he deserved his own for hitting out.

Strasbourg, in the mire after back to back losses to PSG and Monaco, are away to mid-table Valenciennes as the northeasterners try to avoid making it a miserable year for the region with Metz already down.

Fixtures (all times GMT):

Saturday

Lyon v Rennes (1510)

Le Mans v Auxerre

Lille v Nancy

Lorient v Lens

Metz v Marseille

Monaco v Toulouse

Sochaux v St Etienne

Valenciennes v Strasbourg (all 18 GMT)

Sunday

Bordeaux v Caen

PSG v Nice (1855)