Caen vs Metz preview - Malouda looking for fresh start

Metz midfielder Florent Malouda wants to break the downward spiral and start afresh against Caen on Saturday.

Metz are rock bottom of the Ligue 1 standings and are winless in their last 17 games, their last league victory a 3-2 success against Caen the last time the two sides met at the start of November.

Caen, meanwhile, are in 14th place and five points clear of the bottom three.

Former Chelsea midfielder Malouda told Metz's official website: "We must address this shift in Caen as if it was the last game of the season and do not make calculations.

"We must have the desire to break this spiral just simply by pride, to lead to positive things."

Malouda also thinks his side are struggling due to the pressure they put on themselves.

He added: "Given the potential and quality of players it is essentially a mental problem linked to the management of the pressure of the event."

Caen coach Patrice Garande expects a tough clash against a desperate Metz side.

He told L'Equipe: "FC Metz are in the same situation we were in late December. It will be a very complicated game, a duelling game.

"You (the press) say that we are the present favourite, I do not prepare for the game in this way."

Fode Koita is back for Caen after recovering from a knee problem while Lenny Nangis returns after a suspension. Damian Da Silva misses out after his red card against Lorient as he serves a one-match ban.