Rennes vs. Strasbourg Showdown: Team News, Lineups, and Prediction

With manager Habib Beye under intense pressure, Rennes will welcome Strasbourg to Roazhon Park on Sunday for a key Ligue 1 clash in the race for European qualification. Rennes are searching for their first win since mid-September, while the visitors aim to secure back-to-back victories.

Match preview

Rennes took the decision to replace Jorge Sampaoli in January when the club was 16th in the division, with Beye arriving to guide them to a 12th-placed finish last season. However, after hoping to push for a UEFA competition spot this term, the team has found victories scarce, leading to questions about the manager’s future.

On Wednesday, Beye’s side seemed poised to end their winless streak, but a two-goal lead established by Esteban Lepaul and Mousa Tamari was erased by a late penalty, forcing them to settle for a frustrating draw. That result extended their winless run to six matches, consisting of five draws and one defeat since their 3-1 triumph over Lyon on September 14.

This disappointing stretch has left Rennes 10th in the table on 12 points, seven behind the European places. The hosts will view Sunday’s fixture as a crucial opportunity to close that gap, and they may find confidence in the fact that both of their league wins this season have come at Roazhon Park.

Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg, who finished seventh last season to qualify for the Conference League playoffs, are now aiming for a place in the Champions League. Le Racing began October by thrashing Angers 5-0 before navigating difficult fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, securing a 3-3 draw with the former and losing 2-1 to the latter.

Rosenior’s men returned to winning ways this past Wednesday, beating Auxerre 3-0 in a dominant performance. That victory moved Strasbourg to fourth in Ligue 1 with 19 points, and they will be keen to separate themselves from a cluster of teams level on points behind the top two. To do so, the visitors must overcome their recent inconsistent away form, having won just one of their last four domestic games on the road.

Team News

Rennes have a largely fit squad for this clash, though Seko Fofana and Ludovic Blas could again be omitted after being dropped by Beye for the match against Toulouse. In their absence, Valentin Rongier is likely to be joined by Mahdi Camara and Djaoui Cisse in midfield, while Esteban Lepaul and Breel Embolo are expected to continue their partnership up front.

As for Strasbourg, they are contending with a more extensive list of absentees. Centre-back Saidou Sow is out until the new year, goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson is sidelined with a broken wrist, and the versatile Ismael Doukoure is suspended. Furthermore, midfielder Maxi Oyedele and striker Emanuel Emegha are not expected to be available until early November.

With these limitations, Rosenior may opt for a back three of Guela Doue, Andrew Omobamidele, and Mamadou Sarr to protect goalkeeper Mike Penders. In attack, in-form centre-forward Joaquin Panichelli, who has scored seven goals in his last five matches, will be supported by Sebastian Nanasi and Julio Enciso.

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Samba; Boudlal, Jacquet, Brassier; Frankowski, Camara, Rongier, Cisse, Tamari; Lepaul, Embolo

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Penders; Doue, Omobamidele, Sarr; Ouattara, Mourabet, Barco, Moreira; Enciso, Nanasi; Panichelli

We say: Rennes 1-1 Strasbourg

Rennes have struggled for wins this season but have proven resilient, drawing five of their last six matches. Strasbourg returned to winning ways last time out but could be frustrated by a stubborn opponent on the road this weekend.



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