Rennes vs Nantes Ligue 1 preview: No love lost between these two local rivals

An otherwise routine mid-table clash will be livened up with a little bit of local tension between these two near-neighbours.

When: 7.00 pm GMT, 21 March 2015

Where: Stade de la Route de Lorient, Rennes

Ninth meets eleventh in Ligue 1 as FC Nantes make the short trip to the Stade de la Route de Lorient to meet fierce rivals Stade Rennais on Saturday evening.

While Rennes will enjoy the home support, the Canaries go into this one on the back of a victory, having bested Evian Thonon-Gaillard 2-1 last weekend. That victory ought to have ended any relegation concerns Michel Der Zakarian might have had, but the coach has insisted that his team will not ease up; despite reaching 39 points after 29 matches.

Last week, Rennes were thoroughly outclassed by LOSC Lille-losing 3-0-in a defeat which ended a three-game unbeaten run and a broke a two-match winning streak.

Philippe Montanier will be expecting his side to return to winning ways, secure the three points at home, and leapfrog their bitter enemies in the league.

SEE MORE:
Rennes news
Nantes news
Ligue 1: Nantes coach wants to treat Canaries fans to a ‘beautiful spectacle’ in derby against Rennes