PSG hopes to inch closer to Ligue 1 summit

Paris, France – It has been a difficult year for PSG in Ligue 1 play thus far.

Despite spending loads of cash in the summer to lure top-level talent to the French capital, the club sits fourth in the table with 26 points through 15 games.

With its three league losses coming in the club's last five games, PSG will hope to rebound with maximum points against Evian at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

PSG appeared to be on track to make a run after a convincing 4-0 defeat of Troyes on November 24, a match that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic bag a brace.

But Carlo Ancelotti's men failed to build upon that result, losing at Nice last weekend.

That loss dropped PSG further off the title pace, leaving the club five points back of first-place Lyon.

Saturday brings a contest that will speak volumes about PSG's title credentials.

Evian is far from a stout opponent, entering the weekend fourth from bottom on 16 points.

While Evian will be eager to avoid slipping into the relegation zone, the talent gap separating it from PSG means that Les Parisiens should be able to take three points with flying colors.

It hasn't always worked out that way for PSG this season, so anything other than a win at home would be a major disappointment.

Tied with PSG on 26 points is St. Etienne, a club that will be looking to close the gap at the top of the table with a winning result against Lyon on Sunday. A win for St. Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard would send the club to within two points of the Ligue 1-leaders.

Should Lyon slip up, Marseille will be looking to take advantage. The club enters the weekend in second place with 29 points, and a win paired with a Lyon loss would send Marseille to the Ligue 1 summit.

Also on Sunday, Reims welcomes Bordeaux to the Stade Auguste Delaune II.

On Saturday, Montpellier welcomes Ajaccio to the Stade de la Mosson, Nancy hosts Valenciennes at the Stade Marcel Picot, Brest heads to the Stade de la Route de Lorient to take on Rennes, Lille and Sochaux square off at the Stade Auguste Bonal, and Nice travels to the Stade de l'Aube to face Troyes.

In Friday's lone Ligue 1 contest, Toulouse and Bastia played to a 0-0 draw.