Stade Rennais FC vs Nantes preview - Alhadhur wants survival step

Nantes defender Chaker Alhadhur believes beating rivals Rennes on Saturday would be a "huge step" towards securing survival and finishing in front of their opponents in Ligue 1 this season.

Two wins from their last three have seen Nantes climb to ninth in the table and a point above Rennes in 11th.

The Canaries are all-but safe, with 10 points separating them and the relegation places, but Alhadhur insist the primary focus remains on staying up.

"The main goal of the season is survival," Alhadhur told fcnantes.com.

"If it can be secured as quickly as possible, it would be nice and this weekend a huge step can be taken towards that.

"That's why, beyond the fact that it is a derby, it is a very important match for staying up."

Alhadhur added: "Rennes deserve their place in the league but it would nice to finish in front of them, for us and for the fans."

Alhadhur came through the youth system at Nantes and the 24-year-old admits playing against Rennes has always felt special to him.

"This is a fixture I look out for when the schedule comes out," Alhadhur said.

"I came through the academy and played against Rennes in all the age groups - even as a professional today, that feeling does not change."

Rennes have also managed to steer clear of the relegation spots with two wins in their last three matches and the players are beginning to look up, rather than down the table.

"It will be difficult to catch the top teams but there are still 27 points available," Rennes defender Sylvain Armand told the official club website.

"We will try to move up the table and there are three important derbies left to play.

"Although foreign players do not know too much about the rivalry with Nantes, they will feel it on the field on Saturday.

"They will see the atmosphere. We want to give smiles and a breath of fresh air to the fans."