After a change at the helm, struggling Rennes will hope this decision brings a change in fortune, starting with their Ligue 1 encounter against Strasbourg this weekend.

The home side parted ways with Jorge Sampaoli on January 30, appointing Habib Beye as interim manager until the end of the season, with an option for a one-year extension.

Match preview

Rennes will hope they have made the right call this time, having brought in the well-travelled Sampaoli just over two months ago to salvage an already turbulent campaign following Olivier Dall'Oglio's dismissal.

However, that decision brought no improvement, as the Argentine failed to steady the ship despite a promising start, winning three of his first five games.

Those proved to be his only victories, as Sampaoli went on to lose his final five matches — four in Ligue 1 — including a 3-2 defeat against Monaco last weekend, leaving the Red and Blacks in the relegation playoff spot with 17 points, one behind 16th-placed Saint-Etienne.

Rennes' struggles have largely stemmed from their defensive frailties, conceding more than one goal in each of those losses — the first time they have endured such a run since March-April 2013.

Beye will aim for a strong start and can take confidence from his team's historical dominance in this fixture, having beaten this weekend's visitors more times than any other Ligue 1 opponent with 39 wins, 23 stalemates and 32 defeats, though they have failed to record victory in any of their last three meetings against the Alsace outfit.

Currently on their longest unbeaten run against the home side this century — drawing once and winning the last two at home, including a 2-0 triumph in 2023-24 before beating the Rennais 2-1 in this season's reverse fixture — Strasbourg will look to extend that streak as they chase their first league double in this matchup.

That goal appears achievable, given Racing's superb form, having won four of their last six Ligue 1 matches while remaining unbeaten during that period - their longest invincible streak since between February and April 2022, when they went 11 games without defeat.

Liam Rosenior will be pleased with his team's resurgence, having collected 14 points during their ongoing unbeaten run — one more than their tally from the first 13 matches — which has lifted Racing to ninth in the standings with 27 points from 19 games, just three behind sixth-placed Lyon.

Strasbourg head into this weekend's fixture on the back of a 2-1 comeback win over Lille at Stade de la Meinau, where Osame Sahraoui struck early for the visitors before Andrey Santos and Emanuel Emegha scored in the 70th and 74th minutes, respectively, to secure Le RCS' fifth home league victory of the season.

However, it has been a less smooth ride on the road for Racing, who have won just two of their 10 trips in this season's top flight, along with three draws and five defeats, though they can take confidence into this weekend, having claimed both victories in their most recent outings.

Team News

Rennes signed Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic for €12m (£10m), while Jota moved in the opposite direction for €10m (£8.4m), but an immediate starting role for the former might be a stretch.

A change in management could bring fresh ideas, though Arnaud Kalimuendo is likely to remain central to Rennes' plans, with the club's top scorer in Ligue 1 with eight goals, expected to lead the line as he looks to end a two-game goal drought.

Right-back Lorenz Assignon returns after serving a suspension, but fellow defender Alidu Seidu remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.

For Strasbourg, long-term absentees Thomas Delaine (knee) and Caleb Wiley (shoulder) remain unavailable, while Dilane Bakwa could miss a second successive game due to a sprained knee.

Emegha has been in fine form for Racing, scoring five goals in his last four matches, and the centre-forward will look to extend his hot streak this weekend.

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Samba; Hateboer, Ostigard, Wooh; Assignon, James, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Fofana, Kalimuendo

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Moreira; Diarra, Santos; Lemarechal, Ouattara, Nanasi; Emegha

We say: Rennes 2-2 Strasbourg

Strasbourg may be the favorites due to their recent run, but their poor away record at Rennes, with just one win in their last 10, presents a challenge.

The hosts, buoyed by a potential manager bounce, will aim to capitalise on their dominant home head-to-head record, while the Blue and Whites' solid form could ensure neither side easily gives ground, likely resulting in a stalemate.


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