PSG look to steal march in title rush

Paris St Germain midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has called on his team-mates to recover from a recent slump as they look to overhaul Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier and win their first league title in 18 years. PSG travel to Nancy this weekend, and after heavy investment in the side last summer, many expected the Parisians to take the title but Montpellier's surprise success means the destiny of the trophy is still unknown. Following back-to-back draws against Caen and Bordeaux, Carlo Ancelotti's side have been knocked off the top of the table on goal difference and Sissoko is under no illusion that the title has to be won following the takeover by the Qatar Investment Authority last year. "We have to win the league," Sissoko said. "We are in a bit of a slump. We need to pick ourselves up quickly. We are reaching the final straight, there are nine finals left to win. "Mentally we need to get it right as we reach the business end of the season. We know the potential of this team. If we all pull together in the same direction we will win the title." Montpellier do not play this weekend so a draw against 12th place Nancy will see PSG regain top spot for the time being. Defending champions Lille are currently third in the table and face a tough test as they host fourth-placed Toulouse on Sunday. Belgian U-21 striker Gianni Bruno told the club's official website the fight to secure third spot, and UEFA Champions League football, is in their hands. He said: "In the short term, our objective is clear, we want to take maximum points when trying to achieve a winning streak. We started against Valenciennes and continued at Evian TG. "The sprint is about to be launched between the four or five teams in contention for third place. It is therefore unnecessary to say that the match against Toulouse promises to be very important because they are a direct competitor. Even if we keep an eye out for other teams in the top of the table, we are focused on our own performance and our desire to move on." There is a big game towards the foot of the table as relegation-threatened Sochaux host Brest knowing that a win will put them level on points with Alex Dupont's side. Brest have lost their last three league games and now sit only two points clear of the bottom three in 16th place. St Etienne's push for a place in the top three has stuttered over the past month with three defeats in their last four matches, a 2-1 win at Valenciennes their only success in that time. They welcome Nice to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard as they look to close the gap on the top five. Nice will be hoping to build on their surprise 1-1 draw with Marseille and drag themselves out of the relegation zone. Elsewhere, bottom side Auxerre host mid-table Valenciennes with Dijon and Evian travelling to Bordeaux and Lorient, respectively. Sunday's other matches see fifth-placed Lyon, also in the picture for Champions League football next season, face Rennes and Caen host Ajaccio.