Evian Thonon Gaillard vs Stade Rennais FC preview - Montanier keen to end poor run

Rennes boss Philippe Montanier is looking forward as the club seek to end their recent run of poor Ligue 1 form with victory at Evian.

Montanier's men have slipped down to eighth in the table following a run of three successive defeats.

However, a 2-1 Coupe de France success at Dunkerque, which puts them in the last 32 of the competition, has given Montanier reason to be cheerful ahead of Saturday's contest at the Parc des Sports d'Annecy.

He told his club's official website: "We have turned the page on the month of December.

"It was important to restart the year with the cup win. It puts us back on track. Now we want to continue the chain in another competition, the championship."

Montanier is hoping his team show more defensive resolve, having conceded nine goals in the defeats to Montpellier, Bastia and Reims.

He said: "Our objective is to defend properly but also to retain possession, not give the ball away cheaply."

The boss does not see any significance in the result when the teams met at Rennes in August, a 6-2 home success.

He added: "For me, this setback is far away. Evian reacted well after that match, they are a team with a lot of character and are always difficult to play against."

Montanier revealed that Mexer will figure in Saturday's match despite a broken nose, although fellow defender Cheikh M'Bengue is on African Nations Cup duty with Senegal and will not figure.

Evian are also out of form in league play. They lie third from bottom of the table after losing their last four matches and have the worst defensive record in the league.

The hosts are more affected by the African Nations Cup, with three players on international duty. Defenders Jonathan Mensah and Cedric Mongongu are representing Ghana and DR Congo, while midfielder Djakaridja Kone is in action for Burkina Faso.

In addition, coach Pascal Dupraz is unable to call on suspended striker Clarck Nsikulu, while midfielder Milos Ninkovic misses out with a knee injury.