Second-placed Olympique Lyon welcome Olympique Marseille in the highlight of the weekend's action on Sunday but will miss defenders Antony Reveillere (pictured) and Francois Clerc as well as Bosnian playmaker Miralem Pjanic through injury.
Promoted Montpellier, who visit Valenciennes on Saturday, have been ordered to play a home game being closed doors after their fans threw fireworks onto the pitch during a game at Nice in August. Montpellier sit a surprising fourth in the league.
Leaders Girondins Bordeaux might struggle at lowly Lille on Sunday. The champions have not won there since the 2002-03 season.
Mid-table Nancy host strugglers St Etienne on Saturday with defender Mickael Chretien out injured and midfielder Jordan Loties serving a suspension. Goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano and midfielder Youssouf Hadji are both doubts due to injury niggles.
Third-placed Monaco, who host bottom club Grenoble on Saturday, may lose midfielder Yohann Mollo during the winter break. The promising 20-year-old has played only three matches this season under new coach Guy Lacombe.
"I'll see what the situation is during the transfer window," he told French sports daily L'Equipe. "If I'm still on the bench and don't play a game, I'd rather go elsewhere."
Grenoble have lost all 11 matches to start the season - one more defeat and they would emulate Manchester United's mark for consecutive defeats to start a season. The English side suffered 12 losses in a row to start the 1930-31 season, a record for a major European league.
Paris Saint-Germain, who ended a lean spell by crushing Sochaux 4-1 last weekend, will be without striker Guillaume Hoarau (knee) when they entertain Nice on Saturday.
