Stade Rennais FC vs Bastia preview - Costil demanding strong finish

Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil has challenged his team-mates to continue their unbeaten run until the end of the season in order to round off a solid Ligue 1 campaign in style.

Six games without defeat have lifted Philippe Montanier's men to ninth place on 50 points ahead their penultimate home game of the season against in-form Bastia on Saturday.

Last week's goalless draw at Montpellier effectively ended Montanier's hopes his side might rise as high as sixth, but Costil is determined they will not coast through their remaining games.

Costil told ouest-france.com: "Our goal was clearly to beat Montpellier and get closer to Bordeaux which would have helped us fulfil one of our main ambitions.

"Now we cannot hide that it will be hard with Bordeaux six points ahead of us, but we must keep winning and hope Bordeaux fall away completely.

"It is important to continue our unbeaten run and reach 55 points. We have demonstrated a lot of consistency recently and that is something the group can take a lot of pleasure from."

Visitors Bastia have clawed themselves out of the relegation battle on the back of consecutive victories over Evian and St Etienne.

And coach Ghislain Printant has a further boost ahead of the trip to Rennes with the news that captain Yannick Cahuzac is available again after injury.

Ryad Boudebouz and Drissa Diakite are both definitely ruled out with thigh and knee injuries respectively.