Marseille to play home opener in Montpellier

Olympique Marseille will play their first home match of the season against Lille in Montpellier on Sunday.

The side's Velodrome stadium is currently unavailable due to an ongoing inquiry into the collapse of a stage constructed for a planned Madonna concert last month.

Last season's runners up should be able to return to the stadium for their next home game, a league match against champions Girondins Bordeaux on August 30.

Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh, who said he wanted to leave champions Girondins Bordeaux and had received offers from several Premier League clubs, missed training on Thursday but is still expected to start at Sochaux on Saturday.

Olympique Lyon have problems in defence for their first home match of the season against Valenciennes on Saturday with Jean-Alain Boumsong (groin) and Francois Clerc (thigh) both out injured.

Paris St Germain should welcome back striker Guillaume Hoarau, the club's top scorer last season with 17 goals, when they host Le Mans at Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Hoarau, who had been sidelined for four months with a groin injury, played 90 minutes in a reserve match last weekend and said he felt no pain.

Promoted Boulogne have received the green light from the French Football League (LFP) to play matches in their tiny Liberation stadium after the completion of work to meet the ruling body's standards.

Boulogne, who were in the third division two years ago, welcome Grenoble on Sunday for their first home match in the top flight.

Eduardo Costa should make his Monaco debut when the team from the principality visit Nancy on Saturday. The Brazilian midfielder signed a three-year contract this week after joining from club from Sao Paulo FC.