Aiming to give their survival chances a much-needed boost, Clermont will welcome a struggling Rennes side to Stade Gabriel Montpied on Wednesday night for a Ligue 1 clash.
The Clermontois were defeated at Europa League challengers Marseille on the weekend, while Rennes played out a goalless draw at the home of Toulouse.
Match preview
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Clermont extended their winless run in Ligue 1 to five matches on Sunday afternoon, falling to a 2-1 defeat at Stade Velodrome against a Marseille side fresh from their loss at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday night in the Europa League - a result which condemned Les Olympiens to the playoff round of the competition in February.
Pascal Gastien's men struggled to get a foothold in the contest during the opening 45 minutes and went into the half-time break two goals behind due to strikes from Michael Murillo and Amine Harit for the hosts, but an improved second period did see Jim Allevinah find the net for the visitors.
The 28-year-old's strike on the weekend was his first in the colours of Clermont since October 2022, and that statistic hints at why Gastien's side are currently sitting bottom of the Ligue 1 standings with 11 points from 16 matches, three points behind 15th-placed Toulouse.
The Clermontois have only managed to make the net ripple on 10 occasions in their opening 16 matches, meaning that they have scored four fewer goals than any other side in the top flight, with Austrian youngster Muhammed Cham leading the team's Golden Boot race with a measly two league goals.
Often key for any side hoping to avoid the dreaded drop, home form has been a particular concern this season for Clermont, who have only won one of their eight contests at Stade Gabriel Montpied so far, with their solitary home success coming back on November 12 thanks to a Shamar Nicholson penalty against Lorient.
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After Jeremy Sinat's whistle signalled the close of action at Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday afternoon, Rennes had managed to halt their three-game losing run across domestic and continental competition with a goalless draw against Carles Martinez's Toulouse in an uneventful Ligue 1 encounter.
Fans of Les Rennais have witnessed their side live two different lives so far this season, with Julien Stephan's men impressing in the Europa League and set for knockout football in the New Year whilst struggling in Ligue 1, currently sitting 13th and just three points above 16th-placed Lyon.
The departures of Jeremy Doku and Lovro Majer to Manchester City and Wolfsburg respectively have clearly had a massive impact on the fortunes of Rennes, who secured back-to-back fourth-place finishes between 2021 and 2023, allowing them to compete on the European stage this term.
Stephan's side and strugglers Lorient are the only outfits in the French top flight who are yet to earn maximum points during an away match, with Les Rennais scoring just two goals in seven outings away from Roazhon Park - the most recent coming in a 2-1 loss at Stade Yves Allainmat on October 22.
Rennes have a poor recent record at Stade Gabriel Montpied, having fallen to defeat in their last two visits to Clermont-Ferrand, but Les Rouge et Noirs were victorious against the Clermontois in February, with a brace from Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga securing a 2-0 win.
Team News
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Clermont are likely to be without the services of attacker Elbasan Rashani on Wednesday night, with the Kosovo international picking up a shoulder injury at Stade Velodrome on the weekend.
Maximiliano Caufriez and captain Maxime Gonalons returned from their suspensions to feature in the loss against Marseille, and both should retain spots in the XI for this one.
The Clermontois are short of options in the engine room due to the absence of 35-year-old Johan Gastien, who is expected to return to action in a few weeks.
Rennes were dealt a huge injury blow in the loss against Villarreal on Thursday, with four-goal midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud suffering an ankle knock which is set to keep him sidelined until the New Year.
Stephan could opt to rotate his side for the midweek trip to Clermont, meaning the likes of Bertug Yildirim and former Manchester United enforcer Nemanja Matic could escape the boredom of the bench.
Lorenz Assignon had to be substituted after just 29 minutes at Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday, so it is expected that Guela Doue comes into the XI on Wednesday.
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Seidu, Pelmard, Caufriez; Zeffane, Gonalons, Keita, Borges; Saracevic, Allevinah, Kyei
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Wooh, Omari, Theate; G Doue, Matic, Santamaria, Truffert; Yildirim, Blas, Kalimuendo-Muinga
We say: Clermont 0-1 Rennes
Clermont improved dramatically in the second period against Marseille on the weekend, but we doubt whether the division's basement dwellers will be able to carry that momentum into this fixture.
Rennes have been competitive versus Villarreal and solid at Toulouse over the past seven days, so we feel that their winless away run will come to an end at Stade Gabriel Montpied.
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Top tip
Carter White
