Lens vs Stade Rennais FC preview - Lens won't give up - Chavarria

Lens striker Pablo Chavarria is determined not to give up the fight as the embattled club continue their scrap against relegation.

Lens' status in Ligue 1 has been the subject of legal challenges over their financial stability but, regardless of that, they have their work cut out on the pitch.

Last week's 4-1 loss at Caen has left them eight points adrift of safety in 19th place.

They are without a win in seven games and manager Antoine Kombouare has acknowledged they are in "real trouble". Fans have also voiced their disgruntlement but Chavarria has vowed to battle on.

The Italian told the club's website, www.rclens.fr: "Over the past two games we deserved to lose. There are no excuses.

"Things are not well, obviously, but the team is working well all week in training in order to progress and win games.

"We must now raise our heads and stay focused because there are still 12 league games and a lot of points to play for."

Lens will hope Rennes' recent poor run offers them a chance to reverse their fortunes as they return to the Stade de la Licorne on Saturday.

Rennes remain in the relative safety of mid-table but have slipped from fifth early in December to 13th on the back of a run of 10 games without a win.

This alarming slump in from has undermined a once-promising season and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure feels it is time to stop the rot.

The 22-year-old told reporters: "The team is in need of points, confidence and a victory.

"When facing good teams like Bordeaux last week, we have still managed to pick up a few points but we have to get some wins quickly.

"We do not really understand this bad period and we need a win.

"We will play Lens looking for points and trying to save our season as quickly as possible."