Rennes-Strasbourg is a Ligue 1 match of the twenty-first day and will be played on Wednesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions.
Rocklands. There is no other way to define Rennes’ moment, which has gone in the space of a few days from the euphoria of the victory over Psg to the unexpected defeat in the Breton derby against Lorient. Two games that are a bit of a summary of the season for Bruno Genesio’s men, unable to keep up the pace of Lens and Marseille – so far the Parisians’ two main rivals – and six points away from the Champions League zone.
Besides the success over Messi and co, the Rossoneri have appeared to be in sharp decline since Ligue 1 began. They have suffered four defeats in seven games between the league and the Coupe de France, from which they were eliminated by Marseille. Basically, the victories over Nice and Psg were the only joys for a team that seems to have lost the polish of the first part of the season. Now the risk is to feed the hopes of a comeback of Lille and Lorient themselves, respectively seventh and sixth in the standings and since last Sunday within reach of overtaking. Genesio does have some extenuating circumstances, however, and these are represented by the injuries: Rennes’ advanced department is forced to reckon with the heavy absences of Terrier and Kalimuendo, while midfielder Xeka and defender Assignon will also be missing in the midweek round.
Strasbourg, back to square one
The Breton club have come to the rescue by securing striker Toko Ekambi from Lyon, who will immediately replenish the trident also made up of Gouiri and Doué.
Diarra from Strasbourg
The opponent that will visit Roazhon Park is Strasbourg, a team that, after having gone well beyond expectations last year, reaching the point of dreaming of Europe, has now returned to the ranks, fighting not to relegate. The Alsatians recently exonerated Julien Stephan, entrusting the team to Mathieu Le Scornet. The new coach’s debut was convincing, capable of taking away four points from the challenges against Lens and Lyon. On Sunday, however, the long faces were back in Alsace: the home defeat against Toulouse (1-2) cancelled out the good things Strasbourg had done in the previous two matches. Racing’s last home victory dates back to last May.
The Prediction
Rennes should be able to forget the derby defeat with a midweek success, although Strasbourg are more fearsome away than at home and could make things more difficult for them. The total goals will most likely be less than three.
Rennes v Strasbourg likely line-up
- RENNES (3-4-3): Mandanda; Omari, Rodon, Theate; Bourigeaud, Tait, Santamaria, Truffert; Doué, Gouiri, Toko-Ekambi.
- STRASBURG (5-3-2): Sels; Guilbert, Doukouré, Djiku, Le Marchand, Sobol; Aholou, Prcic, Diarra; Mothiba, Diallo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
