Nantes coach Elie Baup admits his team have to beat Rennes Sunday if they are to maintain their slim hopes of staying in Ligue 1.

Les Canaris no longer have their destiny in their own hands following their emphatic 3-0 defeat at Lyon in midweek, which leaves them three points adrift of safety with three rounds of fixtures remaining.

They are now relying on other teams slipping up but Baup's main concern will be his own side's dire recent displays which he knows cannot be repeated tomorrow.

"All our jokers have been played now," Baup said.

"We have no choice we have to win this match. There has to be a collective response.

"We have to show that we don't accept the situation we are in, that we want to take the game by the scruff of its neck."

Rennes also have plenty to play for. They may have suffered a shock defeat to Guingamp in the Coupe de France final last weekend but their recent form in the league has been encouraging.

They have bounced back from their agonising last-second defeat to Bordeaux at the end of April to record 1-0 wins against Paris St Germain and Caen, and the seventh-placed Brittany club are now just two points off the European spots.

"We know we have to produce a big performance," Rennes coach Guy Lacombe said.

"It's important for Nantes but it's important for us too. I hope my players are conscious of that but I think that's the case after what I saw against Caen."

Carlos Bocanegra (thigh) is a doubt for the visitors, who are again without Bruno Cheyrou (calf), Olivier Thomert (ill) and long-term injury victim Jimmy Briand (knee).

Lacombe also welcomes back Jerome Leroy from suspension.

Nantes are sweating over the fitness of defender Ibrahim Tall (thigh).