England fly-half Toby Flood will be back in Leicester colours this weekend © Getty Images

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Matches: Perpignan 24 - 19 Leicester Tigers

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: Leicester Tigers | Perpignan

Grounds: Aime Giral

Leicester Tigers put their perfect record in Heineken Cup Pool 5 on the line on Saturday when they make the daunting trip to Catalonia to take on Perpignan.

Leicester were given something of a fright by Treviso in round one but they underlined their title credentials with a stunning demolition of the high-flying Scarlets the following weekend.

The Scarlets, of course, had upset Perpignan in Llanelli in their opening fixture. The Catalans bounced back by sweeping Treviso aside but they have rarely been anything other than unconvincing so far this term. Still, Leicester know that Perpignan at home are an always formidable proposition.

Perpignan - Player to Watch: Outside centre David Marty was in try-scoring form last weekend and will be keen to utilise the big stage to offer a reminder of his talents to national coach Marc Lievremont.

Perpignan - Team News: Nicolas Laharrague is back in the Perpignan No.10 shirt where he will be partnered by scrum-half David Mele, while Joffrey Michel comes in at inside centre. Bertrand Guiry and Damien Chouly join a re-vamped back-row and Perry Freshwater and Marius Tincu are drafted back into the front row.

Leicester Tigers - Player to Watch: Fly-half Toby Flood was knocked out cold on his last outing, which brought a disappointing end to an otherwise eye-catching November in England colours. Can he reproduce that kind of form back in Tigers colours?

Leicester Tigers - Team News: The return of Flood is the only change in the starting line-up from last week's Aviva Premiership win over London Irish. Flood partners England team-mate Ben Youngs at half-back, while England tight-head Dan Cole packs down in the front row. Ireland international Geordan Murphy leads the team from fullback but Italy's Martin Castrogiovanni must make do with a place on the bench.

Key Battle: The Tigers trio of Marcus Ayerza, George Chuter and Cole have been in fine form this season but face a formidable challenge in the form of Perpignan's Freshwater, Tincu and Nicolas Mas. Expect a bruising encounter.

Trivia: Back in the 2001-02 season, Tim Stimpson kicked seven penalties against Perpignan - the most by any Tigers player in the tournament.

Stats: The teams have gone head-to-head four times in Europe - Leicester lead the rivalry three wins to one.

Quote Unquote:

"If we are to break this downward spiral we have to produce our best rugby. We cannot settle for 50% or even 75% and need to deliver a powerful performance in every aspect of the game." - Perpignan boss Jacques Brunel plots his side's revival.

"We will not be going there to be conservative because that doesn't get you anywhere. We will try and take them on." - Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill promises some fireworks.

Prediction: Leicester look primed to score a priceless victory on French soil against a Perpignan side that has failed to win in their last four outings. But facing a make-or-break game the Top 14 strugglers are sure to make life difficult for their Premiership rivals.