Two Ligue 1 teams experiencing contrasting runs of form do battle at Roazhon Park on Sunday when Rennes play host to Montpellier HSC.
While Les Rouge et Noir have won each of their last four top-flight matches, La Paillade are seeking to avoid a fifth successive league defeat.
Match preview
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Rennes were seemingly on course to claim maximum points in Thursday's Europa League clash away at Fenerbahce when they raced into a three-goal lead within the first half-hour courtesy of strikes from Amine Gouiri (2) and Martin Terrier.
However, the Turkish side pulled one back through Enner Valencia on the stroke of half time before two goals in the final eight minutes from Miha Zajic and Emre Mor helped the hosts draw level in dramatic fashion.
Nevertheless, Rennes could still claim top spot in Group B – with Fenerbahce only above them by goal difference at present – and they have now extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 13 matches.
Indeed, this run includes eight successive games without defeat in Ligue 1, which has seen Bruno Genesio's side rise to fourth in the table, three points behind Lens and Lorient in the top three.
Les Rouge et Noir also boast a strong record against Sunday's opponents Montpellier as they have won five of their last six Ligue 1 meetings against them, including both home and away victories last season.
Rennes have won a total of 13 Ligue 1 home games in 2022, more than any other team in the division, while Montpellier have lost 12 Ligue 1 away matches this year, the most of any side in the top flight, so Genesio and co will be confident of success this weekend.
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Following the dismissal of manager Olivier Dall'Oglio, interim boss Romain Pitau was unable to provide an immediate bounce for Montpellier as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Lyon last weekend.
A brilliant bicycle kick from Elye Wahi cancelled out Houssem Aouar's opener before tempers boiled over in the 74th minute, with both Stephy Mavididi and Sinaly Diomande given their marching orders. It would be Lyon who had the last laugh, though, with Alexandre Lacazette netting a 90th-minute winner.
Montpellier have now lost eight of their 12 Ligue 1 matches this season – their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign – and they have slipped down to 12th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.
La Paillade's hopes of turning their fortunes around on Sunday could prove challenging as they have struggled on the road in recent months, losing nine of their last 10 away league matches – a surprise 7-0 thrashing of Brest in August is their only victory during this run.
Montpellier will reminisce about the 4-0 victory away against Rennes back in December 2014, but since then they have failed to win their last seven visits to Roazhon Park.
Team News
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Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria is ruled out for the rest of the year with an ankle injury, while Warmed Omari and Alfred Gomis both missed the midweek draw with Fenerbahce and remain doubtful for Sunday's fixture.
Joe Rodon has missed the last two Ligue 1 games due to suspension, but the Welshman is now available for selection and is set to replace Christopher Wooh at centre-back, joining Hamari Traore, Arthur Theate and Adrien Truffert in the back four.
In-form attackers Gouiri and Terrier – who have scored 17 goals between them in all competitions so far this season - are set to continue in the front three alongside Benjamin Bourigeaud, who is yet to find the net this term.
As for Montpellier, they will have to cope without key trio Mavididi, Wahi and Maxime Esteve who will all serve a one-match suspension, while Mamadou Sakho (calf), Theo Sainte-Luce and Dimitry Bertaud (both ACL) remain sidelined with injuries.
Nicolas Cozza is the most likely candidate to slot into centre-back in the absence of Esteve, with Enzo Tchato switching over to left-back, while Arnaud Nordin and Valere Germain are set to replace Mavididi and Wahi in attack.
First-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin is also set to miss out after coming off before half time in last weekend's defeat with an ankle injury – Bingourou Kamara is set to deputise as a result.
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Traore, Theate, Rodon, Truffert; Tait, Ugochukwu, Majer; Bourigeaud, Gouiri, Terrier
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Kamara; Sacko, Jullien, Cozza, Tchato; Ferri, Chotard; Nordin, Savanier, Maouassa; Germain
We say: Rennes 3-0 Montpellier HSC
Montpellier may have had a few days extra rest, but Rennes will still be regarded as the favourites for Sunday's contest.
The hosts have been scoring goals for fun in recent weeks and we expect their in-form attackers to have more joy in front of goal at the Roazhon Park, with a comfortable three points on the cards against a Montpellier side who are missing a number of key players.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
