Rennes and Reims meet at Roazhon Park for an important clash between two European-chasing sides in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
The hosts have run into some difficulties of late after a supreme run of form post-World Cup.
Match preview
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Rennes' hopes of European football continue to falter, with another defeat last weekend making it just one win in five games.
Their only victory in that time was a shock win away to Paris Saint-Germain, while three defeats all against European rivals have set them back greatly.
Martin Terrier's ACL tear suffered earlier this year has coincided with their falloff in form, as his influence has been missed massively.
Rennes have picked up just 16 points from 13 games without Terrier, as well as suffering exits from both the Coupe de France and the Europa League.
After back-to-back defeats without scoring, Bruno Genesio's men will want to avoid making it three in a row for the first time since 1977, but Reims will offer a very daunting challenge.
Rennes have not beat Reims at home in Ligue 1 since their opponents were promoted back to the top flight in 2018.
With eight defeats in their last 14, Rennes' form is on the complete other end of the scale to their upcoming opponents, as Reims have lost just once in their last 22 games.
Manager Will Still continues to be a revelation in charge at Reims, as they have the most points in the league over the last 10 matches.
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Striker Folarin Balogun has been a big factor in their great form, and he scored his 18th league goal of the season in stoppage time last week to salvage a draw against Brest.
Another goal for him here would mean only Zlatan Ibrahimovic can beat his tally in a debut season in Ligue 1 since the turn of the millennium.
Reims enter the weekend just five points off a Europa Conference League place and can move level on points with Rennes with a win.
They won the reverse fixture 3-1 in their last fixture of 2022, with Balogun once again on form, netting twice at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.
Their away form has been even more impressive too, as they are 11 unbeaten on the road - the longest run in Europe's top five leagues.
Another win here would be their third in succession away from home - a feat the club has not managed in 61 years.
Despite many of Reims' matches under Still being cagey and low-scoring, there have been 19 goals in the last five meetings between the sides, with just one 0-0 recorded in the last 61 Ligue 1 encounters.
Team News
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Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert has joined Terrier in being ruled out for the rest of the season, with the defender suffering from an ankle injury.
Steve Mandanda was not risked last week due to thigh pain the day before their clash with Lyon, but the veteran goalkeeper could come back in to replace Dogan Alemdar.
A sprained ankle will keep Xeka out for the hosts, while Lorenz Assignon is also out with a knee issue.
Genesio was criticised for strangely substituting youngster Desire Doue at Lyon last week just 18 minutes after bringing him on.
Reims have much fewer injury issues to contend with heading into this one, as Still may choose largely the same side once more.
Noah Holm and Dion Lopy remain their only two injury absentees heading into this one.
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Traore, Omari, Theate, Meling; Santamaria, Ugochukwu, Majer; Bourigeaud, Kalimuendo, Gouiri
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, De Smet; Doumbia, Van Bergen, Munesti; Ito, Balogun, Flips
We say: Rennes 0-1 Reims
Rennes have lost three of their last four at home, after going on a club-record 10 straight wins at Roazhon Park.
Reims have been unbeatable on the road under Still, and have won on three of their last four visits to Rennes without conceding.
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Top tip
Andrew Delaney
