Struggling Rennes welcome a Reims side enjoying a resurgence under Will Still to Roazhon Park in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

The visitors are level on points with Lille, who occupy a Champions League place, but after finishing in the top four in the last two seasons, Rennes currently find themselves closer to the relegation zone and now with a new manager.

Match preview

Bruno Genesio left his post as Rennes manager after becoming the first side to lose against Lyon this season just before the international break.

In his place, Julien Stephan has returned for a second spell in charge, as Rennes look to recover from a dreadful start which has them just one point above the relegation places.

Just two wins from their opening 12 matches leaves Rennes down in 13th, and losing to a Lyon side who have been the worst in the division so far is concerning.

Very few sides are showing much form in Ligue 1 though, shown by the fact that just five points separate the European places to the relegation zone, so Rennes' season could still go either way.

Genesio was on borrowed time, and a run of just one point from five matches meant the international break was always likely going to bring a change.

Poor discipline has handicapped Rennes on numerous occasions, as they have had a man sent off in each of their last three matches - even if they did go on to beat Panathinaikos here.

While eight of their 12 points have come at home, rectifying defensive issues which have seen them not keep a clean sheet at Roazhon Park yet this season will be a priority for Stephan.

The wheels fell off a bit at Reims late last season after their famous unbeaten record under Still came to an end.

However, they are back in great form and are looking like potential candidates to sneak into the top four, as they currently sit just one place outside the Champions League places, level on points with Lille.

Their away form has been the secret to their success too, as only the top two have taken more points on the road so far this season.

Eleven of Reims's 20 points have come away from home, and they will look to add to that tally to get over the 3-0 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain before the break.

Reims played well and had more than a couple of good chances, but they were ultimately undone by the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, who netted a hat-trick for the visitors.

Team News

Rennes' ill-discipline means they will be without two players because of suspension for this encounter.

Warmed Omari will serve the last game of his suspension here after being sent off against Nice, while Guela Doue is also banned as he was dismissed inside five minutes against Lyon.

Jeanuel Belocian is likely to come in at the back to deputise, before he will serve a European suspension in midweek following his red card against Panathinaikos.

Stephan will be able to bring Lorenz Assignon back into the side, though, as he served his ban for an accumulation of yellow cards against Lyon.

After missing the Guinea squad with an ankle injury, Reims are set to be without Ibrahim Diakite for this one.

Keito Nakamura's sprained ankle also saw him miss Japan's opening World Cup qualifiers, but Junya Ito was present and registered four assists in their 5-0 thrashing of Syria.

Teddy Teuma is also set to return after featuring at Wembley against England for Malta on Monday, where he almost gave the minnows a shock early lead.

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Assignon, Theate, Belocian, Truffert; Blas, Bourigeaud, Matic, Le Fee; Salah, Terrier

Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Agbadou, Okumu, Abdelhamid; Foket, Matusiwa, Munetsi, Teuma, De Smet; Ito, Daramy

We say: Rennes 1-1 Reims

While often finishing above Reims, Rennes certainly see them as a bogey team, having only won twice in their previous 10 meetings.

The form book suggests a similar result could be on the cards too, and Reims will fancy their chances, despite a potential new manager bounce for Rennes.


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