Ligue 1 resumes business on Friday following the mid-season break as Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille head into the second half of the season locked at the top of the table.
The capital club returned from a lengthy break under the Qatar sunshine with their latest signing Lucas Moura who arrives from Sao Paulo for the tidy sum of 40 million euros and the Brazilian will get his first taste of French top flight football on Friday when PSG host lowly Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes.
"He will start," revealed PSG's 53-year-old Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"Physically, technically, there is no problem. Tactically he must still understand some of the movements for a player on the wing but these are just small things. He will get better."
French Cup holders Lyon who trail only on goal difference, suffered the humiliation of stumbling out of the competition last weekend when they lost on penalties against third division Epinal and must shake off that setback for a Saturday afternoon trip to second-from-bottom Troyes.
Meanwhile Marseille close out the weekend's action on Sunday as they travel to a Sochaux side who are three points from safety at the bottom.
Several clubs will be hit by the upcoming African Cup of Nations (CAN), as a strong contingent of players head to South Africa for the January 19 to February 10 continental showpiece.
One player not affected is Lucas as the Brazilian starlet gets set to make his home debut after the club held off interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid to sign the 20-year-old to a four-and-a-half year deal.
"It's a very important step in my career. There are stronger competitions in Europe. PSG has a long history with Brazilian players and I hope I'll be able to write a new page in this history."
Ajaccio are one of the hardest hit clubs by the CAN as five regular players depart Europe and Albert Emon who replaced Alex Dupont as coach during the break will be well short of depth as the Corsican club face a crucial part of their season in a bid to avoid the drop.
"We know it's going to be difficult," said assistant coach Stephane Paganelli.
"We'll be doing our maximum to take some points and not lose too much ground," he added.
The big game on Saturday takes place in Britanny when fourth-placed Rennes host Bordeaux and a real test for both teams to not only stay in touch with the leading trio but also lock up European places for next season.
Saint-Etienne welcomed Michael Laudrup's son Andreas to their squad this week as he arrives on loan from Denmark in time for the 'Green Devil's home tie against Toulouse in Friday's second match.
Defending champions Montpellier are slowly climbing the table after a dire start to the season but fifth-placed Lorient will be a test of their resolve on Saturday while Evian host Brest and 2011 champions Lille travel to Nancy on the same day.
Elsewhere, former French international 'keeper Michael Landreau is set to make his debut for Bastia as they visit Reims on Sunday and Nice are at home to Valenciennes to complete the weekend slate.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday:
Saint-Etienne v Toulouse (1800), Paris Saint-Germain v Ajaccio (2000)
Saturday:
Troyes v Lyon (1600), Evian v Brest (1900), Montpellier v Lorient (1900), Nancy v Lille (1900), Nancy v Lille (1900), Rennes v Bordeaux (1900)
Sunday:
Reims v Bastia (1300), Nice v Valenciennes (1600), Sochaux v Marseille (2000)
