Rennes will be aiming to win their first game since October when they welcome Lens to Roazhon Park for Saturday's Ligue 1 showdown.

The two sides are only separated by one point in the table, with Les Rouge et Noir in seventh, while Lens - who have a game in hand - sit ninth ahead of the weekend.

Match preview

Champions League Group E is already done and dusted ahead of the final matchday next week, and Rennes' maiden venture in Europe's premier competition has been a truly forgettable experience for Julien Stephan and co.

Chelsea and Sevilla have secured their spots in the next round, FC Krasnodar will drop down to the Europa League, and Rennes are guaranteed to finish bottom after taking just one point from a possible 15 in the group so far.

Stephan's side made the long journey to Russia to take on Krasnodar on Wednesday evening, but a Marcus Berg goal was enough to condemn Rennes to their fourth European defeat of the campaign and extend their winless run to six matches in all competitions.

Les Rouge et Noir have hardly fared better in Ligue 1 either, and Stephan was unable to lead his side to victory over 10-man Strasbourg last Friday as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw, with Rennes having to rely on substitute Adrien Hunou to save their bacon as he headed home the equaliser in the second half.

Rennes have slowly slipped away from the European-chasing pack amid their dismal spell of form, but should Marseille suffer an unexpected defeat to Nimes on Friday, Stephan's side will climb above Les Olympiens into sixth with a victory against surprise package Lens.

While Lens can only boast one win from their last five in Ligue 1, Franck Haise will no doubt be delighted with the way his side have gone about their business since returning to the big time.

Four victories from their first five games saw Lens make a fast charge towards the European places, but last season's Ligue 2 runners-up recently tasted defeat for the second time this season as Angers overcame Lens 3-1 last Sunday.

The two sides could not be separated in the opening 45, with the scores level at 1-1 at half time, but Angers struck twice through Stephane Bahoken and Pierrick Capelle in the second half to condemn Haise's men to their first home loss of the campaign.

The Lens boss may be starting to feel slightly concerned after witnessing his side slowly drop off, but Rennes are hardly in better form themselves and this weekend's visitors will certainly feel capable of pulling off a shock result at Roazhon Park.

Rennes and Lens have not locked horns since the 2014-15 campaign, and Les Rouge et Noir took the spoils 2-0 at home before winning 1-0 away in that Ligue 1 season.

Rennes Ligue 1 form: DLWLLD
Rennes form (all competitions): LLLLDL

Lens Ligue 1 form: WLDWDL

Team News

Hunou could be in line for another start up top here due to Serhou Guirassy's ankle injury, with the 24-year-old likely to remain sidelined for the next couple of months, although M'Baye Niang is another option for Stephan.

Alfred Gomis picked up a minor injury before the defeat to Krasnodar, which meant that Romain Salin had to deputise on Wednesday evening, but Gomis should return to the first XI on Saturday.

Martin Terrier and Nayef Aguerd are yet to recover from coronavirus, while Daniele Rugani remains on the treatment table with a thigh problem.

Meanwhile, Lens boss Haise only has one injury concern in the form of Cheick Traore, who is nursing an Achilles problem, with the visitors otherwise in good shape heading into this game.

Ignatius Ganago will be vying for a recall to the Lens attack, but Arnaud Kalimuendo is unlikely to be dropped following his goal against Angers.

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Gomis; Traore, Da Silva, Nyamsi, Maouassa; Nzonzi; Doku, Camavinga, Bourigeaud, Gboho; Niang

Lens possible starting lineup:
Leca; Medina, Bade, Gradit; Clauss, Doucoure, Fofana, Sylla; Kakuta; Sotoca, Kalimuendo

We say: Rennes 2-1 Lens

Lens have been much stronger at home than on their travels this season, but there is reason for optimism among the Sang et Or camp given Rennes's abysmal spell of form. Stephan's side must end their winless run soon lest they risk slipping out of contention for a European berth, and we are backing Rennes to finally register a vital three points with a slender victory on Saturday.

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