Hello European football fans and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of in intriguing clash with top-of-the-table implications in Ligue 1. Rennes have the chance to steal a march on their Champions League rivals tonight but must break their long hoodoo at Lille to go third in the table.

Lille have played their way into some fine form after a difficult start to the season. Rudi Garcia's side were at their clinical best on the counter last weekend to stun Lyon and keep their aspirations of European qualification alive.

Quite incredibly Rennes have not won an away match against Lille since May 1966 and are chasing only a third victory at Les Douges in 37 attempts. Frederic Antonetti's men have coped well with the loss of Yaan M'Vila in recent weeks and proved too strong for Toulouse last weekend to keep their campaign on track.

The visitors have found the net regularly away from home this season and carry a constant goal threat, thanks largely to strike duo Romain Alessandrini and Mevlut Erding. The pair have 19 goals between them season and will be confident of finding the target again this evening.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Let's get news of the starting XIs to take the field at the Metropole tonight and hear about key absentees for both sides.

LILLE: Elana, Beria, Chedjou, Basa, Digne, Gueye, Balmont, Martin, Payet, Rodelin, Kalou

RENNES: Costil, Theophile-Catherine, Kana-Biyik, Ilunga, Mavinga, A. Diarra, Makoun, Danzig, Feret, Alessandrini, Erding

The Africa Cup of Nations has continued to affect the Rennes team tonight, with Jonathan Pitroipa, Jonathan Mensah and John Boye not ready for a return to the starting XI. West Ham United loanee Alou Diarra continues in central midfield with Alessandrini and Erding forming a two-man attack.

More positive news for Rennes is the inclusion of Romain Danze, who is available after recovering from a hamstring injury. Lille are without skipper Rio Mavuba and Ryan Mendes but do welcome Nolan Roux back after his suspension to take a place on the bench.

Both managers had plenty to say in their pre-match interviews and clearly see this as an important chance to steal a march on their rivals for European football. Lille boss Rudi Garcia is doing his best to calm expectations after last week's superb display at Lyon.

Garcia: "To have won at Lyon is a real source of satisfaction, but it is not an end in itself.

"It was just one match, with three points at stake. There is still a long way to go until the end of the season. We need to try and approach every game as if we were playing Paris or Lyon.

"The Paris game was a reference for us in terms of the performance, and when you get the result as well, like at Lyon, it really gives you something to build on."

There is just time before both teams take the field to hear from Rennes coach Antonetti, who has warned his side they will need to play at their maximum to get a positive result tonight. He said: "This is a big match against one of the best teams in the league. It will be a real test and we will need to be really, really good in every department to get a result."

Lille get us underway at the Metropole and are shooting from left to right. Rennes quickly gain possession and have the first shot on target through Melvut Erding. The striker worked a nice opening using his place but could only send a tame shot straight to Elana from close range.

The home side have responded well and find some space on the left after Kalou's intelligent run beyond the full-back. The Ivorian waits for Lucas Digne on the overlap but the highly-regarded youngster lashes his attempted cross out for a goal kick.

Both sides have settled but at the moment Lille look stronger in midfield and are shading an even contest for possession and territory in the early stages.

Rodelin breaks dangerously down the right-hand side and after beating two players is eventually fouled to win a free kick in the final third. Unfortunately for the home side the delivery is disappointing and a chance to test Rennes from a set piece is quickly gone.

Rennes attempt to launch a counter with Marvin's pace but his diagonal run is snuffed out cynically by Basa. Lille regroup from the free kick and clear to Kalou but his forward burst is finally stopped after a neat pass from Rodelin.

BLOCK! Julien Ferret should probably have just put Rennes ahead with a header from point-blank range. His effort is heading towards goal but a fine block from Franck Beria sends the ball wide and keeps a tight match goalless.

The visitors have started to press the action and look more comfortable in possession. After not winning at Lille for 47 years a slightly cautious start is hardly surprising.

A bright start has been dampened somewhat by persistent fouling from both sides. Rennes in particular are away of Lille's pace on the break and have no problem bringing down Martin or Rodelin in cynical fashion. The referee will need to produce a yellow card if this tactic persists.

The home side have taken the lead in fortunate circumstances. A driving run and shot from Salomon Kalou was stopped by Costil but he could only turn the ball across goal. Rodelin reacted quickest at the far post and has seen his cross turned home by a sprawling Rennes defender. That one will probably go down as an own goal but the home fans could care less.

Rennes have an instant chance to respond with a free kick 20 yards from goal. Feret decides to take but can only send a curling shot a few yards wide of the near post. The visitors will need to come out and chase the match now after being punished for a conservative start.

Unfortunately for Rennes defender Chris Mavinga he has been credited with the opening goal and did clearly get the final touch. Antonetti has further problems with top scorer Alessandrini down clutching his right leg in agony.

Alessandrini had visible tears in his eyes after that challenge but after some treatment has limped back into the match. A brave effort from the Rennes forward but he has been largely anonymous so far tonight.

Lille are continuing to play with authority as Dimitri Payet blazes over a volley from a tight angle. Half time cannot come soon enough for Rennes as Rodelin continues to cause havoc on the right with a long run and shot that goes inches wide of the near post.

SUBSTITUTION: Rennes have been forced into an early change and unfortunately Alessandrini is still in pain and cannot continue. The striker has been replaced by Abdoulaye Sane.

Lille hae changed shape slightly to accommodate Sane but are still penned back deep in their own half by a concerted period of Lille pressure. Kalou and Rodelin look a constant threat on the flanks and Chedjou is winning a hard-fought midfield battle at this stage.

CHANCE! Rennes win a free kick just outside the penalty area after Jean Makoun was hacked down. The visitors make a mess of the delivery and give Lille the perfect chance to break in numbers on the counter. Marvin Martin has two players free at the far post but makes a mess of his cross and the chance goes begging.

Balmont and Rodelin show patience to keep possession in midfield under pressure from three Rennes players. After offloading to Payet the move breaks down but Lille have showed more than enough to warrant their one-goal lead just before the break.

The referee shows Rennes some mercy and decides not to add on any stoppage time and brings the first half to an abrupt end. Ronny Rodelin is being interviewed by a touchline reporter before he can escape down the tunnel. That trait is commonplace around Europe but is one I cannot imagine Premier League players taking kindly to.

Rodelin was hugely impressive in the opening 45 minutes and helped create a bizarre goal which separates the two sides at the interval. His cross in a dangerous area was turned in by Mavinga with the Rennes defender on the deck in his own penalty area!

Rennes have struggled badly to contain the pace and power Lille possess in attacking areas. Add that to an early injury for top scorer Alessandrini and it has been a first half to forget for the visitors.

Despite dominating possession and territory Lille have only had one shot on target so far, which is a surprising statistic. Rennes need a dramatic improvement after the break to keep alive their chances of moving from fifth to third this weekend.

Both teams are back out the Metropole and the second half is just moments from getting underway. If Lille can maintain their slim advantage they will go just three points behind Rennes and keep alive their chances of Europa League qualification push.

Lille have the first meaningful forward burst of the half and once again Rodelin is involved. The winger does well to meet Chedjou's short pass before and beats his full-back but can only thump a wayward cross wide of the near post. Rennes need to find a way to deal with his pace and power or they will struggle for a route back into this match.

The home side continue their forward match through Digne but the young full-back's promising burst is eventually stopped by some composed defending by former West Ham man Herita Ilunga.

CHANCE! More trickery from Rodelin wins Lille a pair of quick corners and at the second time of asking Rodelin sends a low drive into the side netting from close range. Rennes look all at sea defensively and have shown little threat at the other end. Rudi Garcia's side should have put this match to bed there and are still not home and dry.

The home crowd are furious as the referee denies Marvin Martin the chance to run clean through on goal for an earlier foul. Rennes use that moment as a chance to break at the other end and finally force Elana to make a save from Makoun.

INJURY UPDATE! A quick piece of news we have received on the injury sustained by Rennes top scorer Romain Alessandrini in the first half. It appears the striker may have a bad knee problem in a career already blighted by knocks. That is a real shame.

Dimitri Payet has probably put the result beyond doubt with a composed finish from close range. Salomon Kalou deserves great credit for his assist after showing determination to drive in a cross that made Payet's finish academic at the neat post. Lille have been dominant and fully deserve their two-goal advantage.

YELLOW CARD! Jean Makoun has been cautioned against his old club for a late lunge on Rodelin in central midfield. The Cameroon midfielder has put in a performance reminiscent of his short time at Aston Villa tonight rather than the powerful displays Lille fans remember fondly.

Lille come close to a third goal as a defensive mix-up gives Kalou a chance to steal possession. Rennes keeper Costil was late off his line but does enough to force a mistake from the Ivorian striker combined with pressure from Mavinga.

SUBSTITUTION: Rennes withdraw Alou Diarra in favour of Anders Konradsen. The midfielder will have to get forward in the closing stages in an effort to help the visitors produce an unlikely comeback.

SUBSTITUTION: Antonetti decides to bring on Chieck Diarra with his final change at the expense of Mevlut Erding. The pacy forward has looked an isolated figure in attack all night and does not seem too upset with his manager's decision. Diarra has 15 minutes to make an impact in his first match since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The Lille home crowd have been in fine voice all night, in particular the home end which looks packed full of loyal supporters. Rudi Garcia endured a tough start to the season but will have the backing of Lille fans if he can produce performances like tonight's on a regular basis between now and May.

YELLOW CARD! Rennes are trying long diagonal passes but cannot get the ball forward with any consistency. Meanwhile the visitors are extremely upset with a challenge on Ilunga by Martin which has the full-back writhing in agony on the floor. After a delay the playmaker is booked for the late tackle.

SUBSTITUTION: Lille bring off Rodelin to a rapturous reception from the home supporters. The young winger has been the most exciting player on display tonight by some distance. He is replaced by Nolan Roux in the top scorer's first match back from suspension.

Once again Lille use a Rennes set piece as a springboard to break in numbers on the counter. Kalou covers quick ground out wide before cutting inside to find Balmont, who in turn tees up Chedjou for a strike from range. The midfielder has time but sends a curling drive wide after a block from Mavinga.

Diarra looks desperate to get involved for the visitors but despite showing desire to win possession has nothing left to put behind the finish.

SUBSTITUTION: Lille make their final change of the night to shore things up before stoppage time. Martin comes off for defender David Rozehnal, who will be familiar to Premier League fans for a short spell at Newcastle United.

Rennes look out of ideas as Diarra decides to unleash another team strike from outside the penalty area. Lille show more intent on the counter soon after but Kalou's header fails to trouble a relieved Costil.

Roux is stopped from racing through on goal unopposed by a late offside flag as the four minutes of added time dwindle down without any intent from a disappointing Rennes.

With a chance to go third in the league tonight that flat performance from Rennes was genuinely disappointing. Lille took full advantage and deserved a comfortable victory which moves them up from eighth to 10th in Ligue 1.

The visitor's misery was further compounded by a serious injury to top scorer Alessandrini, who went down in agony after hurting his knee.

Before we sign off just a reminder to keep an eye on the progress of Ronny Rodelin and Lucas Digne, who were both brilliant in wide areas this evening. That just about does it for Ligue 1's opening match of the weekend. Thanks for joining us at Sports Mole and goodnight!