Les Bleus are joint top of Group B, on nine points after four games, but have already slipped up on their travels against supposedly inferior opposition.

In their last away game, Scotland shocked Raymond Domenech's side by winning 1-0 at Hampden Park thanks to a 67th-minute goal by Gary Caldwell.

Wins against Georgia away, and Italy and the Faroe Islands at home, mean the French are still on course in qualification, but Malouda is wary of overconfidence.

"I don't feel particularly relaxed before the Lithuania game - we are all conscious that a result over there will perhaps make the difference in qualifying," the Lyon winger said.

"They exist, these banana-skin matches. But you only slip on them if you are badly prepared.

"When you are in a state of alert, you avoid overconfidence and lack of concentration. I think everybody feels part of the same mission.

"Against Scotland, we were very frustrated, quite correctly, because we had dominated.

"Relaxation can be one of the causes, but not always the main one. We are in a state of alert."

Malouda has respect for the Lithuanians, who are fifth in the standings on four points but have already grabbed a superb 1-1 draw with world champions Italy in qualification.

But the wideman insists three points are a must for his team.

"We have seen Lithuania's result in Italy," he added. "It was an eye-opener.

"We must forget the status of the two teams, and go there like we did against Georgia - put in the effort to make it an easy match (France won 3-0).

"A draw would be a failure. We must not lose any more points on the way."

For Saturday's match, Malouda will be the sole survivor of the attacking quartet who started for France in the defeat to Italy in last year's World Cup final.

Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery are out injured, while Zinedine Zidane has retired.

David Trezeguet, who came on as a substitute in the penalty shoot-out defeat to the Italians, and was the only France player to miss from the spot, does not even make the squad.

Malouda, who has paid particular attention to his condition since the finals in Germany, does not believe that puts extra responsibility on his shoulders.

"The players who got to the World Cup final have suffered injuries, or their level has dropped this season," said the 26-year-old, who has been capped 26 times and scored three goals for his country.

"I am always ready to play. After the World Cup, I discussed things over with those who have already had that experience.

"I have been careful about looking after myself, and recovery between matches. A lot of it is down to luck, without a doubt.

"I am 'less new' than others, but I am not one of the elder statesmen. The leaders, they are (Willy) Sagnol, (Claude) Makelele, (Lilian) Thuram, Greg (Gregory Coupet).

"They are more laid-back than us, after all the finals they have disputed."

With the likes of Henry, Ribery, captain Patrick Vieira and Louis Saha ruled out through injury, Domenech could blood some of his uncapped squad members in his starting line-up.

Samir Nasri, the 19-year-old Marseille midfielder, looks to be competing with the experienced Sylvain Wiltord for the right-midfield slot.

And Frederic Piquionne, who at 28 has been drafted into the squad for the first time, may be given a start up front, alongside Nicolas Anelka or Djibril Cisse.

Fit-again William Gallas will link up with Lilian Thuram at the heart of the defence, as they did in Les Bleus' run to the World Cup final.