Preview: Rennes vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts occupy sixth position and could finish the weekend in a European place if they beat Les Gones, who are looking to snap a five-game winless run in new manager Laurent Blanc's first game in charge.

Match preview

It has been quite the couple of months for Bruno Genesio's men, who have not lost in 10 games in all competitions since the 2-1 defeat at Lens on August 27.

They have won four of their five home games in the league so far this season, including last weekend's comfortable 3-0 victory against Nantes courtesy of goals from Amine Gouiri, Martin Terrier and Desire Doue despite Tottenham Hotspur loanee Joe Rodon's late dismissal.

Rennes have also been going well in the Europa League, sitting top of their group and unbeaten following Thursday night's 1-0 success over Dynamo Kyiv, as defender Christopher Wooh scored the only goal of the game to ensure his side progressed to the next stage of the competition.

It has been a high-scoring start to the domestic campaign, with their 20 strikes the third-most in the division so far, scoring in every game since the defeat to high-flying Lorient on the opening weekend of the season.

They should be full of confidence heading into the game with Lyon, outscoring their opponents 11-2 in their past four league games.

Les Gones have struggled as of late after starting the season so well, going from 13 points from their first five games to one point from their next five.

That solitary point came last weekend, a 1-1 draw with Toulouse stopping a four-game losing run which saw them slip drastically down towards mid-table, after Tete's fifth of the season was cancelled out after half time by the visitors' Rafael Ratao, a result which saw manager Peter Bosz lose his position as manager

It has been a poor showing time and again away from home for Lyon, having not won any of their first four games on the road, a factor that played a part in the Dutchman's dismissal earlier this week.

Three goals scored away from home is the worst in the division so far, and their task is not going to get any easier against a Rennes defence who have conceded the least amount at home.

It is a slightly unenviable first game for Blanc, who won the domestic treble with Paris Saint Germain in 2016, but will need to get a volatile fanbase on his side quickly.

Rennes Ligue 1 form:

W

D

W

D

W

W

Rennes form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

W

W

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Team News

Rennes will be without Rodon after his red card against Nantes last time out, so Wooh is likely to replace him in the back four, as he did in the Europa League this week.

Jeremy Doku might be available from the bench having missed the last three games in all competitions with a thigh injury, and Doue might fancy his chances from the start after his goal last weekend, ahead of Arnaud Kalimuendo.

They could also welcome back Lesley Ugochukwu into the midfield, ahead of Xeka, who started in his place against Nantes.

Lyon's injury list is still quite extensive despite Moussa Dembele and Corentin Tolisso returning to the starting lineup last weekend, as did defenders Malo Gusto and Castello Lukeba.

After a free week to continue their recovery, both should start again, and Houssem Aouar could make his return from injury too.

They will be without Romain Faivre and Julian Pollersbeck as the pair are still recovering from long-term problems.

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Mandanda; Truffert, Theate, Wooh, Traore; Terrier, Tait, Ugochukwu, Bourigeaud; Doue, Gouiri

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Tagliafico, Lukeba, Mendes, Gusto; Lepenant, Tolisso; Tete, Lacazette, Toko Ekambi; Dembele

We say: Rennes 2-1 Lyon

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