Group leaders Rennes could secure their place in the Europa League knockout rounds when they face Maccabi Haifa on Thursday.

While the Israeli side are the designated hosts, the match will be played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest due to the conflict in their home country.

Match preview

Maccabi Haifa have their work cut out if they are to advance from the group stage of a European competition for the first time since the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.

While they may have a game in hand over Rennes and Panathinaikos, Messay Dego's side are currently rooted to the bottom of Group F with three points separating them from the Greek side in third position, while they are five points adrift of Villarreal, who currently occupy second place.

After losing to Rennes and drawing with Panathinaikos, the Israeli champions looked set to claim their first victory of the group stage when Abdoulaye Seck gave his side the lead in their most recent European outing against Villarreal, however, after leading for over 60 minutes, two late goals from the Spanish side left Maccabi Haifa empty-handed.

As a result of that narrow defeat, they could be eliminated with two games to play if they fail to win and Villarreal beat Panathinaikos in the group's other fixture.

If the designated hosts can claim all three points in Thursday's fixture, it would represent their first win in the main draw of a UEFA competition since recording a memorable 2-0 victory over Juventus in last season's Champions League.

Rennes are well set to reach the Europa League knockout rounds for the second straight season after picking up nine points from their four matches, giving them a three-point cushion to Villarreal and a five-point buffer to Panathinaikos.

The French side claimed victories against Maccabi Haifa and Panathinaikos either side of a defeat to Villarreal, before they recorded a 3-1 victory in their home meeting with the Greek side earlier this month - a game that proved to be Bruno Genesio's penultimate match in charge.

After overseeing a 1-0 defeat to basement side Lyon earlier this month, Genesio left the club by mutual consent due to personal and sporting reasons, leaving the club in 13th place in Ligue 1 following a five-game winless league run.

Julian Stephan, who previously coached Rennes between 2018 and 2021, was recently appointed as Genesio's successor, and the new boss began his second spell in charge with a 3-1 victory over Reims thanks to goals from Amine Gouiri, Benjamin Bourigeaud and Arthur Theate.

The Rennes head coach will now turn his attention to his first European match since returning to the club, and he has the chance to lead his side straight into the Europa League knockout rounds with a win, while a draw will be enough if Panathinaikos fail to beat Villarreal.

Team News

Maccabi Haifa could be without Dolev Haziz and Sun Menahem, while Eric Shuranov is a doubt after missing the club's last two matches.

Shon Goldberg came into the starting lineup at the weekend, and he could retain his place in central defence alongside Seck.

After playing the final half-hour at the weekend, midfielder Mahmoud Jaber is in contention to make his third start of the group stage.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope without the services of Jeanuel Belocian, who is suspended after being sent off in the 3-1 win over Panathinaikos on matchday four.

However, they will welcome back Guela Doue after the 21-year-old missed Sunday's league meeting with Reims through suspension.

After dropping out of the lineup at the weekend, Ludovic Blas could be brought into the side for Thursday's away trip.

Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:
Kaiuf; Sundgren, Seck, Goldberg, Cornud; Mohamed, Jaber; Khalaili, Chery, Hajaj; Pierrot

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Doue, Wooh, Theate, Truffert; Le Fee, Matic; Bourigeaud, Blas, Terrier; Kalimuendo

We say: Maccabi Haifa 1-2 Rennes

Although Rennes have won only one of their seven competitive away games this season, they will be at no real disadvantage with the contest taking place at a neutral venue.

The French side proved to be a level above in the reverse fixture, and while we do not expect another 3-0 scoreline, we still believe that Rennes will have enough quality to record a narrow victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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