Rennes make the long journey from north to south this weekend, as they face off against Bordeaux in the Coupe de France.
With a place in the round of 32 at stake, the hosts will be hoping to upset the odds against their Ligue 1 opponents.
Match preview
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Bordeaux have endured a turbulent time off the pitch, as their chaotic season began with relegation from Ligue 2 down to the fourth tier of French football due to bankruptcy.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the team, they made a rocky start to life in Group B of the Championnat National 2, failing to win any of their opening four fixtures.
However, despite their challenges, they have suffered only one league defeat - a 2-1 loss to Dinan Lehon back in September - and have won seven of their last 12 matches across all competitions.
A key factor behind their turnaround has been their strong defence, with eight clean sheets kept during the club's unbeaten streak.
As a result of their demotion to the fourth tier, the hosts have already played two games in the Coupe de France this season, with a 2-0 win over FC Bressuire setting up a clash with Les Herbiers in the eighth round.
Another 2-0 success followed in the match against Les Herbiers, ensuring their spot in the round of 64, where they now face Rennes.
Although there have been plenty of positives to take in their revival, a cup run may be needed to brighten the mood at the club, as any hopes of a promotion this season look slim, with Saint-Malo currently 10 points clear of third-placed Bordeaux in the standings.
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Meanwhile, the visitors come into this cup clash sitting 12th in the Ligue 1 table, with 17 points from their first 15 games of the season.
The club had a difficult start to the season and parted ways with head coach Julien Stephan in November after Rennes secured just three wins in their opening 10 matches, losing five of those games.
He was replaced in the dugout at Roazhon Park by Jorge Sampaoli, who has guided his new team to two wins in his first four games in charge.
One of their biggest issues this season has been their form away from home, as Rennes have only picked up one point on the road all season, with only Saint-Etienne and Montpellier performing worse in away matches.
Additionally, the visitors have only scored four goals on their travels all season, while conceding 15 goals in those fixtures.
Sampaoli has failed to improve the club's poor away form in his short time in charge of Rennes, with his two victories coming in home games and two defeats coming in away fixtures.
The new boss will view this weekend as a great opportunity to build momentum away from home before the new year, as his side head into this clash as clear favourites.
The visitors will be looking to go a step further this year and win the Coupe de France for the fourth time in their history, after being knocked out in the semi-finals last season against Paris Saint-Germain.
However, they did enjoy success in this competition as recently as 2019, so there is good reason to believe that they could go far again this season under their new boss.
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Team News
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One of the more familiar faces in the Bordeaux side is former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who dropped down two divisions to join the club from Amiens earlier this year.
The Englishman has made an impressive start at his new club, scoring six goals in eight matches since arriving at Bordeaux.
Meanwhile, Rennes will be without Alidu Seidu for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.
On a more positive note, Mikayil Faye is available for selection again after serving his suspension following his red card in the recent derby defeat to Nantes.
Faye was not the only one disciplined following the Nantes game, as head coach Sampaoli served a touchline ban in the recent win against Angers due to losing his temper with the officials in the derby.
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Diabate; Yambere, Diaw, Bai; Bahassa, Thomas, Louveau, Depussay, Merdji; Carroll, Mutyaba
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Nagida, Wooh, Hateboer, Truffert; Matusiwa, James, Assignon; Blas, Gouiri, Meister
We say: Bordeaux 0-3 Rennes
Despite the form book suggesting that Rennes struggle on the road, we think they will win comfortably here.
The gulf in quality between the Championnat National 2 and Ligue 1 should be telling, and we expect the visitors to end Bordeaux's cup dreams this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
