Lens in trip to Rennes for weekend Ligue 1 encounter.
Rennes battle to maintain their Roazhon Park fortitude against the unbeaten Lens, as both sides seek a crucial victory to fuel their upward march in Ligue 1 this Saturday.
Rennes
Rennes are coming off a resounding 3-0 triumph over Montpellier, a result that secured their second win of the season following consecutive defeats to Reims and Strasbourg [WLLW]. Head coach Julien Stéphan, visibly pleased with his team's performance, remarked, "We took the game by the scruff of the neck. We managed to take the lead quickly and double the score thanks to a great cross from Lorenz Assignon and a fine header from Arnaud Kalimuendo."
Sitting 7th on the Ligue 1 table, Rennes now turn their attention to an unbeaten Lens side, a team they have struggled against in recent years. Rennes have failed to win in their last eight meetings with Lens since RCL’s promotion in 2020, managing only 0.5 points per game during this period, their lowest average against any Ligue 1 opponent.
Goals have been plentiful from Rennes this season, with their fixtures averaging at least three goals per game. Despite their struggles against Lens, Rennes have shown strength at Roazhon Park, opening their home campaign with two commanding 3-0 victories over Lyon and Montpellier. However, they haven’t managed to win their first three home games in a Ligue 1 season since 2016/17, when they won four consecutive matches.
A 4—3—3 formation that dispatched Montpellier is expected, with Ludovic Blas and Albert Grønbæk flanking Arnaud Kalimuendo, who will be facing his former club, in attack. Unfortunately, Rennes will be without Carlos Andrés Gómez due to injury.
Lens
Lens, on the other hand, are enjoying an unbeaten start to their Ligue 1 campaign under new manager Will Still with two wins and two draws.
However, the team will be looking to regain momentum after a lacklustre goalless draw with Lyon last Sunday.
Lens are currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1, the joint-longest alongside Monaco. Despite their fine form, Lens have struggled on the road, with only two wins from their last 10 away fixtures in all competitions.
Their only away victories came against Lyon in March and Angers in August.
There is optimism surrounding the club, with Lens' president Joseph Oughourlian confirming that the club is close to finalising the purchase of their home stadium for a fee in the region of €25 million.
On the pitch, Will Still is expected to deploy his preferred 3-4-1-2 formation, with Wesley Saïd also set to face his former side, partnering Florian Sotoca in attack. Lens will be without Jimmy Cabot, who is sidelined through injury.
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