Montpellier will be out to continue their winning run in Ligue 1, while league leaders Paris Saint-Germain have a straightforward outing.
Rene Girard's men have won six consecutive games in all competitions to start the year, and face struggling Ajaccio on Saturday.
Striker Olivier Giroud (15 league goals) is Ligue 1's top-scorer and has attracted interest from other clubs, but it has been Montpellier's performances at home and their ability to keep clean sheets that has been most impressive.
In all six of their victories in 2012, they have not conceded, and Ajaccio's trip to Stade de la Mosson - where Montpellier have won nine of 11 matches - shapes as a tough one.
Montpellier are chasing PSG, who are three points clear at the top and visit struggling Nice on Sunday.
Former Chelsea defender Alex is hopeful of making his debut for Carlo Ancelotti's side after joining the big-spending club during the January transfer window.
Freezing weather across France forced three matches to be postponed last week, and Marseille's encounter at Evian TG has been pushed back and will be played Sunday or later.
Elsewhere, Lyon welcome Caen to Stade de Gerland after a Coupe de France win over Bordeaux on Wednesday.
Remi Garde's side are 10 points adrift of PSG in the title race, but could see playmaker Yoann Gourcuff given more game time throughout the remainder of the campaign.
"He is very close (to playing more regularly). He had a minor knee injury (earlier this season), but he is getting close to the level that will allow him to play more," Garde said earlier in the week.
"It's a team sport so we need everybody."
In other matches, champions Lille are clinging onto third spot ahead of a meeting with Bordeaux, while Toulouse and Saint-Etienne - seventh and eighth respectively - do battle on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Stade Rennes will enter their clash against bottom-placed Sochaux on Saturday as hot favourites, Auxerre can move out of the bottom three with a win at home to Lorient and Valenciennes and Nancy face off.
Dijon, promoted from Ligue 2 last campaign, travel to Brest in search of three points.
1 - 0 |
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2 - 0 |
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3 - 0 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | G. Jourdren | |
| 2 | G. Bocaly | |
| 3 | M. Yanga-Mbiwa | |
| 5 | H. Bedimo | |
| 22 | B. Stambouli | |
| 13 | M. Estrada | |
| 6 | J. Marveaux | |
| 20 | R. Cabella |
 64'
|
| 10 |
Y. Belhanda
|
 53'
|
| 7 | J. Utaka | |
| 17 |
O. Giroud
|
67'
|
| Coach: R. Girard | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G. Ochoa | |
| 26 | S. Bouhours |
 43'
|
| 22 | F. Diawara | |
| 23 | A. Maire | |
| 24 |
D. Tibéri
|
|
| 6 | C. Medjani | |
| 8 | J. Pierazzi | |
| 14 | M. Mostefa | |
| 7 | B. André |
42'
|
| 19 |
P. Lasne
|
|
| 29 | Eduardo | |
| Coach: O. Pantaloni | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 23 |
for O. Giroud 71' |
74'
|
| 19 |
for Y. Belhanda 72' |
|
| 1 | ||
| 14 | ||
| 18 | ||
| 21 | ||
| 27 |
