Lyon host Nice on Friday in a Ligue 1 clash between two in-form sides fighting for an automatic Champions League qualifying spot next season.

Lyon, second behind Paris Saint-Germain whose midweek defeat to Manchester City ended French interest in the Champions League, are level on 55 points with Monaco who host struggling southern rivals Marseille on Sunday.

But Nice are just two points behind with five matches left to play.

Monaco's grip on an automatic qualifying berth loosened as the principality side were swept aside 4-1 at Lille last Sunday, before Hatem Ben Arfa's hat-trick saw Nice past Rennes 3-0.

As Monaco wobble Nice are now on form with their star striker Ben Arfa in inspirational mood.

Lyon meanwhile have netted 14 goals in their past five matches to move above Monaco on goal difference and into second spot and automatic qualification with a 2-0 win at Montpellier last week.

It was Lyon's eighth win from their last 10 games, a run that has catapulted them back into contention for Europe's top club competition.

Lyon, who had dropped to ninth place nine points behind Monaco, have been boosted by the return of injured players.

Coach Bruno Genesio, appointed last December in place of Hubert Fournier, has managed to win over the sceptics with the way he has forged team spirit.

And the 50-year-old admitted that the club's 2-1 win over PSG in January acted "like a real trigger". "That made us aware of our qualities," said Genesio.

Lyon are unbeaten in their last seven games at home and defender Christophe Jallet believes playing at their Parc Olympique Lyonnais will be decisive.

"We know that Nice have an experienced team, unfortunately for them they are coming to Lyon," said Jallet who extended his contract midweek until 2018.

But the coach is above all able to count on a full squad compared to his predecessor, which has allowed him to even relegate French international midfielder Mathieu Valbuena to the bench.

Forward Alexandre Lacazette has returned to full form demonstrating the efficiency which escaped him in the first half of the season, bringing his total to 16 Ligue 1 goals - 10 since the winter break.

Players like Rachid Ghezzal and Maxwell Cornet, who scored both goals against Monptellier, have also found their stride.

Monaco will be hoping to take advantage of the crisis in Marseille who are sitting 14th, just six points above the relegation zone.

To add to the disarray Marseille owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus announced on Wednesday that the club was now officially up for sale.

PSG, meanwhile, return to domestic duty following their inglorious exit from Europe bidding to finish their season with dignity starting with Saturday's game at home to midtable Caen.

Laurent Blanc, who made tactical errors against Man City, will need to avoid further disappointing the clubs Qatari owners.

Friday (all times GMT)

Lyon v Nice (1830)

Saturday (1800 unless stated)

Paris Saint-Germain v Caen (1500), Troyes v Reims

Bordeaux v Angers, Lorient v Toulouse, Ajaccio v Lille, Bastia v St Etienne