Two sides searching for victories for very different reasons meet this weekend when Monaco host relegation-threatened Toulouse at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco currently hold the third Champions League qualification spot, while Toulouse are just looking to remain above the bottom three in an intriguing battle at the bottom of the table.
Monaco
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After trailing Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille for so many months, Leonardo Jardim is deservedly getting the credit for leading Monaco back into the race for Champions League football.
For long spells of the season, the top three looked to be inevitable, but Monaco have thrived while Marseille have struggled and they hold the advantage heading into the final four games of the campaign.
However, occupying third spot represents a different challenge for Jardim's side, who currently sit just two points above fourth-placed Saint-Etienne and five better off than Marseille.
Playing three sides in the bottom half of the table alongside a potentially vital battle with Marseille may be welcomed by some, but taking on teams battling to stay in Ligue 1 means that no result is secure at this stage.
Monaco are full of confidence, though, thanks to a 10-match unbeaten run in the league and they will be desperate to prove they are capable of challenging in the Champions League once again after being edged out by Juventus in the last eight.
Recent form: WDDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWLDDW
Toulouse
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If Toulouse manage to survive the dramatic relegation battle this season, they will look back at their performance over the past few weeks as the key to a successful end to the campaign.
Victories over Montpellier and Lorient were followed by a frustrating draw with Nantes last weekend as Alejandro Bedoya struck a late equaliser to force Toulouse to settle for a point.
However, the battling display was another sign of the progress made under Dominique Arribage, who has lifted spirits at the club since his arrival after many months of disappointment under Alain Casanova.
With just six points separating 11th and 18th, Toulouse will be fully aware that their season is far from over, and a meeting with an in-form Monaco side could threaten to halt their momentum.
Confidence remains high though, and a surprise win could take them five points clear of the bottom three as they look to clinch safety before a potentially vital summer for the club.
Recent form: LWLWWD
Team News
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Anthony Martial continued his fine form with a goal in the 3-0 victory over Lens last weekend, and the 19-year-old is likely to keep Dimitar Berbatov on the bench once again.
Jeremy Toulalan missed the game against Lens, and his injury troubles mean that Fabinho is expected to partner Geoffrey Kondogbia in the centre of midfield.
Arribage left Wissam Ben Yedder on the bench in the draw with Nantes, but Toulouse's top scorer could return to the team.
Marcel Tisserand will miss out for the visitors due to the terms of his loan from Monaco.
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Subasic, Kurzawa, Carvalho, Abdennour, Raggi, Fabinho, Kondogbia, Ferreira-Carrasco, Moutinho, Silva, Martial
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Ahamada, Matheus, Kana-Biyik, Yago, Grigore, Akpa-Akpro, Sirieix, Trejo, Regattin, Ben Yedder, Braithwaite
Head To Head
Berbatov scored twice in the reverse fixture in December as Monaco claimed a 2-0 victory to stretch their unbeaten run to three games against Sunday's opponents.
Toulouse have not won in Monaco since 2008, and their last victory over them in the league came when Etienne Capoue and Moussa Sissoko scored the goals in February 2011.
We say: Monaco 2-0 Toulouse
Toulouse are making impressive progress under Arribage, and they could prove to be a tough side to break down. However, Monaco are full of confidence and they should move another step closer to Champions League qualification.
Callum Mulvihill
