Ligue 1 | Gameweek 11

Nov 10, 2024 at 4pm UK

Stade Paul Audrin

Rennesvs.Toulouse

Match preview

Julien Stephan was let go as Rennes head coach earlier this week after just a year on the job. The team's poor performance against relegation candidates Auxerre, who won 4-0 at Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps, led to his dismissal.

Gaetan Perrin scored two great goals for the home team before half-time, and then Lassine Sinayoko and Ado Onaiwu, who came off the bench, scored two more for Les Rouge et Noirs in the second half. That made it the worst defeat of the season so far for the home team.

Although former Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli is reportedly set to take the reins at Roazhon Park in the near future, Rennes are currently heading into Sunday's clash without a manager. The hosts are in 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings, just a single point above 16th-placed Saint-Etienne.

Even though they've had some struggles this season, Les Rouge et Noirs can take confidence from their record of three wins across five home matches in 2024-25. Only Lens (2) have allowed fewer goals at their base than Les Rennais at Roazhon Park.

The club's poor run of form, with just one win in six Ligue 1 games, led to the decision to sack Frenchman Stéphane. However, the team did secure a win in their last home game on 25 October, with Andres Gómez scoring his first Rennes goal in a 1-0 victory over Le Havre.

Toulouse have had a tough start to the season, losing four games in a row in Ligue 1. But they've now won two games in a row for the first time this season, beating Montpellier HSC on October 27th and Reims last Sunday.

Zakaria Aboukhlal was a constant threat from the right flank last time out, scoring the winning goal. The Moroccan has been on a roll recently, netting three goals across his last two appearances. He also had a clinical brace at Montpellier during the final days of October.

After picking up all three points in their last two games, Toulouse have moved up the Ligue 1 table. They're now in 12th place, two points above the relegation zone and just three points behind Lyon in the Conference League qualification race.

The 24-year-old Aboukhlal and former Bournemouth marksman Joshua King have been key to Toulouse's attacking play. They've scored all six of their side's goals across the last four Ligue 1 games, with other players like Yann Gboho less involved recently.

Toulouse will be looking to make it four unbeaten matches against Rennes on Sunday afternoon. The last time the two teams met at Roazhon Park, back in April, Toulouse came away with all three points thanks to goals from Cristian Casseres Jr. and Moussa Diarra.

Rennes Ligue 1 form:

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Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

Even though there's been a change in management, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Rennes make a lot of changes to the side that got thrashed at Auxerre. That could mean Glen Kamara and Azor Matusiwa dropping to the bench.

If the interim boss or Stephan's permanent successor switches things up, it could give Mikayil Faye and Baptiste Santamaria a chance to make a good impression from the start.

Veteran captain Steven Mandanda is set to keep his spot between the sticks, with the 39-year-old providing a calming presence during a challenging period for Les Rouge et Noirs.

Toulouse are still without centre-back Rasmus Nicolaisen, who's expected to be back in a few weeks after an ankle injury in early October.

After keeping back-to-back clean sheets, it makes sense for Les Violets to stick with a centre-back pairing of former Monaco star Djibril Sidibe and ex-Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell.

Possible starting lineup

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Mandanda; Hateboer, Ostigard, Faye, Truffert; Santamaria, Gomez, Blas, Gouiri, Jota; Kalimunedo-Muinga

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Restes; Kamanzi, Sidibe, Cresswell, McKenzie; Donnum, Casseres Jr; Aboukhlal, Sierro, King; Gboho