Rennes take on Clermont at Roazhon Park on Sunday afternoon, in the latest round of Ligue 1 fixtures.
The hosts will be looking to get their push for the European places back on track, having lost their last match, while the visitors are rooted in mid-table, currently sitting in 12th place.
Match preview
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Rennes were very much in contention for the top three until very recently, but their form has taken a downward turn, losing five of their last six matches in all competitions.
As a result, the Red and Blacks are now sixth in the Ligue 1 table, seven points behind third-placed Monaco, and they will have to start putting in some improved performances in their upcoming games to stand any chance of securing a Champions League place at the end of the season.
Bruno Genesio's side have started to come unstuck defensively in recent weeks, conceding 10 goals in their last five matches, including two in a 2-1 defeat away at Shakhtar Donetsk last time out, in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie.
That being said, a huge advantage for Rennes going into Sunday's game is how formidable they have been at home this season, picking up 30 points in their 12 matches at Roazhon Park so far this term, the best record of any Ligue 1 side.
In the reverse fixture, the Red and Blacks lost 2-1 at the Gabriel Montpied Stadium following red cards for both Benjamin Bourigeaud and Warmed Omari, and a much-improved performance will be required this weekend.
Having picked up 30 points from 23 games, Clermont are stuck in mid-table, showing no signs of pushing for the European places but with a healthy 12-point gap from the relegation zone.
A lack of goals has been the main reason why the Lancers have been unable to threaten the upper echelons of the table, netting on just 24 occasions, the joint-fewest of any team outside the relegation zone.
That has really started to become a problem for Pascal Gastien's side in recent weeks, having failed to score in their last four Ligue 1 matches.
Clermont's form on the road has generally been impressive for the majority of the season, picking up more points away from home than at the Gabriel Montpied Stadium, drawing 0-0 away at Lille in their last trip.
Last time out, the Lancers were defeated 2-0 at home by Marseille after losing by the same scoreline against Monaco in the match prior, and so they will be keen to bring their poor of form to an end on Sunday afternoon.
Team News
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While they do not have any fresh injury concerns, Rennes have a couple of long-term absentees still absent, with striker Martin Terrier and defender Lorenz Assignon both missing out through knee injuries.
Hamari Traore is unavailable through injury, so Djed Spence is the likely choice at right-back, while Xeka has an ankle issue, so Baptiste Santamaria and Bourigeaud are the likely choices in the engine room.
Amine Gouiri is the Red and Blacks' main goal threat, having scored three goals in his last four games, and he is poised to lead the line again, playing alongside Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Clermont also have some injury issues to contend with, as Johan Gastien will be unavailable due to a calf injury, while Alidu Seidu misses out through a meniscus problem.
Grejohn Kyei is likely to remain the choice at striker, despite failing to score in his last five games, being supported by Muhammed Cham and Aiman Maurer.
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Spence, Rodon, Theate, Truffert; Doue, Santamaria, Bourigeaud, Doku; Gouiri, Kalimuendo
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Ogier, Wieteska, Caufriez; Allevinah, Gonalons, Magnin, Borges; Maurer, Cham, Kyei
We say: Rennes 2-0 Clermont
Both teams have been in poor form in recent weeks, but Rennes have still managed to maintain their impressive home record, and so we expect them to run out comfortable winners on Sunday.
Clermont have really struggled to find the back of the net of late, and we cannot see this record changing against a side still in contention for the European places.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
