Kick-off at 18:00 CET

Preparations for this cup tie have been under way at Renne's Stade de la Route de Lorient for the last week, grounds staff keeping the playing surface covered and heated to avoid falling victim to the current cold snap that has seen PSG's last-16 clash with Dijon and Marseille's trip to Bourg-Pérronas (D4) shifted back to Wednesday, February 15.

Antonetti: 'We have to qualify'

Rennes have made a priority of the Coupe de France in recent seasons, but have a habit of falling victim to less-fancied sides, notably Ligue 2 outfit Guimgamp in the final in 2009. Though Evian might fall into this category, Rennes only just got the better of the promoted side from the Alps when they met in the league in November, but coach Frédéric Antonetti insists that this will have little bearing on Tuesday night's match.

"We have to qualify, that's all there is to it," said the Rennes boss, whose side has already accounted for fellow Ligue 1 clubs Nancy and Nice in this Coupe de France campaign. "We've already played at home to Evian in the league, but one match is never the same as another. Anyway, it's a completely different competition, and there are different styles of play, different conditions and different formations."

Mini-slump

Well might the Corsican strategist hope this is the case, after seeing his side fall to their first home defeat of the season, 2-1 to Marseille, two weeks ago before conceding a first away draw in Nancy on Saturday. These results have left his side trailing the leading pack, leaving Coupe de France success as an important option in securing entry into Europe next season.

Rested in Nancy after returning from AFCON duty with Senegal, club captain Kader Mangane returns to shore up the Rennes defence, while new signing from PSG Mevlut Erding should lead the attack in place of injured Africans Youssouf Hadji and Abdoulrazzak Boukari, both suffering from a thigh injury.

Evian to cap resurgence?

Meanwhile Evian are enjoying life under new coach Pablo Correa, and showed no shortage of organisation, determination and verve in both defence and attack as they took a 1-0 lead over PSG at the Parc des Princes before ultimately losing out 3-1.

However, in Rennes Evian - who beat Ligue 2 side Metz and fifth-division Valence to get to the last 16 - face the biggest Coupe de France challenge so far, but should have fit-again captain Cédric Barbosa (adductors) available in attack.

Probable teams:

Rennes: Costil; Théophile-Catherine, Kana-Biyik, Mangane (c), Mavinga; T. Doumbia, M'Vila; Kembo, Féret, Pitroipa; Erding

Evian: Andersen; B. Dja Djédjé, Angoula, Cambon, Ehret (or Rippert); Rbiu, Poulsen, Sorlin (c) (or Tie Bi); Govou, Sagbo, Barbosa

>> Coupe clashes postponed

>> Coupe de France fixtures/results