Rennes is gearing up to face Strasbourg at Roazhon Park this Sunday in a crucial Ligue 1 matchup. Both teams are keen to gain valuable points as they strive to improve their standings in the league.
Rennes has had a difficult season thus far, as they seek their first win since mid-September. Currently, they sit in 10th place, accumulating just 12 points and are trailing behind fourth-placed Marseille by seven points, along with six points behind both Lens and Lyon. Manager Habib Beye is under increasing pressure due to a six-match winless streak that includes five draws and one loss. In their last outing, Rennes led 2-0 against Esteban Lepaul and Mousa Tamari’s efforts but saw their hopes dashed by a last-minute equalizer. The team is hoping to leverage their home field advantage, having secured both their league victories at Roazhon Park this season.
Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior, aims to build on a strong seventh-place finish from the previous season with aspirations for UEFA competition. They began October with an impressive 5-0 victory over Angers but faced tougher challenges against elite clubs, managing a thrilling 3-3 draw with Paris Saint-Germain and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Lyon. However, they regained momentum with a solid 3-0 win over Auxerre, positioning them fourth in the league with 19 points.
In terms of team news, Rennes is expected to field a largely fit squad, but there are concerns over Seko Fofana and Ludovic Blas, who may not play after missing the previous match against Toulouse. The midfield is likely to be anchored by Valentin Rongier, Mahdi Camara, and Djaoui Cisse, with Esteban Lepaul and Breel Embolo leading the attack.
Strasbourg, on the other hand, is grappling with several injuries. Centre-back Saidou Sow will be out until the New Year, and goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson is also unavailable due to a wrist injury. Midfielder Maxi Oyedele and striker Emanuel Emegha will likely miss this match as well. Rosenior may opt for a defensive formation with a back three to bolster support for goalkeeper Mike Penders.
Predictions for the match lean towards a closely contested encounter given Rennes’ recent struggles and Strasbourg’s form. Despite their resilience evidenced by drawing five of their last six games, this matchup could likely result in a tight 1-1 draw.
As both teams aim to build momentum in Ligue 1, fans are set for an exciting clash when Rennes takes on Strasbourg this Sunday.