Loeb looks on course to seal a comfortable victory on Sunday

After sharing the first nine stages between them, Loeb winning six and Sordo three, the pair took a back seat to Mikko Hirvonen and Chris Atkinson.

Finn Hirvonen won three and Australia's Atkinson two from the day's six stages.

Frenchman Loeb, aiming for a fourth title, leads Citroen team-mate Sordo by 31.1 seconds with just one stage left.

To begin the season with a one-two [with Dani Sordo] would be very good Sebastien Loeb

That means that, barring a disaster, Loeb is expected to coast to victory during Sunday's 2.8km final stage, with Sordo taking second spot.

"It has been a great weekend for Citroen. Now we have only one stage to go in Monaco," said Loeb.

"We have had a good race with Dani, and it's great to show we can do a good performance. To begin the season with a one-two would be very good."

With Marcus Gronholm, last year's winner here, clear in thrid spot, the only drama to come will be to see who takes fourth spot, with Hirvonen leading Atkinson by 0.8sec.

But Atkinson fears he will lose out to the Finn, admitting: "I gave away too much time at the end. We'll have to wait and see tomorrow what will happen."