Lyon vs Rennes Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is a huge game in the hunt for a top three or four finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV & Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lyon preview: Topsy turvy Lyon
After a club-record-breaking 13-match winning streak earlier this year, Olympique Lyonnais then underwent a woeful run of form but the hosts now begin the weekend sitting just outside of the top three on goal difference.
Lyon most recently produced an entertaining 3-2 defeat of Auxerre at Parc OL in their most recent outing, to make it three wins on the bounce as they recover under the management of Paulo Fonseca.
Rennes preview: Rampant Rennes
They now face a Stade Rennais side that, following the appointment of former Lens boss Franck Haise, have been much-improved as they sit just a point behind Lyon ahead of their clash.
Rennes' most recent outing saw them edge to a 2-1 defeat of Nantes at Roazhon Park, extending their own winning streak to four matches as they challenge for what would have been a majorly unlikely top three spot.
Lyon team news: Several doubts
Lyon are dealing with several doubts for this one as Remi Himbert, Ernest Nuamah and Malick Fofana potentially unavailable alongside former Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Abner; Tolisso, Morton; Endrick, Merah, Afonso; Yaremchuk
Unavailable: Mangala (Injured)
Questionable: Himbert (Injured), Nuamah (Injured), Fofana (Injured)
Rennes team news: Nordin a doubt
Liverpool-bound centre-back Jeremy Jacquet is still unavailable due to a shoulder injury, while Przemyslaw Frankowski remains sidelined alongside Arnaud Nordin.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Samba; Seidu, Ait-Boudlal, Brassier, Merlin; Blas, Rongier, Camara; Al Tamari, Embolo, Lepaul
Unavailable: Jacquet (Injured)
Questionable: Frankowski (Injured), Nordin (Injured)
Lyon vs Rennes prediction
Rennes' four successive victories means that the visitors have now suffered just one defeat in their last ten matches since the arrival of Haise. Lyon were very good last week and the 3-2 scoreline flattered Auxerre so both sides head into this one in good form with a bit of momentum and so both teams scoring would appear a decent bet for this one on Sunday night.
Lyon vs Rennes tip: Both teams to score