Champions League race gains fresh momentum in Ligue 1

Ligue 1 surprise package Nice travel to a resurgent Saint-Etienne today, as the race for Champions League places next season gathers momentum in France.

Following a stuttering start to the campaign in which Nice collected just one victory from 10 outings, Claude Puel - in his first season at the helm - has transformed the coastal side from perennial mid-table also-rans into European hopefuls.

A run of 11 wins in 16 matches since November, including the scalp of heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, have propelled Nice into fourth place on 45 points, just one shy of Marseille who presently occupy the final Champions League spot.

Today, they face a Saint-Etienne team unbeaten this year, and just one point behind them in the standings.

"One only has to look at their statistics: they are unbeaten [this year]," Puel said. "They are a complete team all across the pitch, and one not depleted by injuries. They will probably put forth their best side in terms of strength and confidence."

Saint-Etienne briefly topped the table in November before a stretch of six matches without a win sent Christophe Galtier's side into free-fall.

However, the return to form of Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has coincided with a drastic upturn in fortunes at Stade Geoffrey-Guichard, the venue for today's encounter.

Aubameyang has scored in each of his past five league appearances, including a brace in last weekend's 3-0 triumph at Nancy, after a goalless stretch that spanned 12 matches.

"My performances certainly dipped, but I don't think it's because I lost confidence. There was a bit of fatigue. I wouldn't say I started doubting myself. We all kept on working hard together and I tried to stay confident and focussed," he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Galtier, who added: "He never let his head drop. He did everything possible to try to get his form back as quickly as possible."

Title-holders Montpellier have long since conceded any hope of retaining their crown, but a run of eight wins in 11 has the defending champions at least harbouring hopes of a return to Europe's top club competition.

"The players want to play in the Champions League again. There was a time when we were a long way off the podium, but now we're just five points off third place," said Montpellier defender Vitorino Hilton, whose side host fellow European challengers Rennes.