Having finally ended their wait for a first Ligue 1 win of 2024, Strasbourg return from the international break on Sunday, when European hopefuls Rennes visit Stade de la Meinau.
Julien Stephan - boss of Racing between May 2021 and January 2023 - is now back in Alsace with an away side aiming to build on beating Marseille last time out.
Match preview
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Halting an eight-match winless streak in the French top flight, Strasbourg saw off fellow strugglers Nantes a fortnight ago, as Emanuel Emegha's second-half brace secured an overdue victory - the Dutch forward has now scored three of his team's last four league goals.
As a result, Patrick Vieira's men sit 12th in the table and are four points above the relegation playoff place currently occupied by their beaten opponents.
However, Les Alsaciens have lost each of their last four Ligue 1 fixtures at La Meinau and have still accrued the fewest points in 2024, so Vieira remains under pressure to prevent another alarming dip in form.
By contrast with Sunday's hosts, Rennes have picked up the most points of any side since January, and though there may be only four places between the clubs, the points gap is in double figures.
Strasbourg played out a 1-1 draw in October's reverse fixture, when South African striker Lebo Mothiba struck late on to salvage a point, but they will now aim to go one better and haul themselves further clear of danger.
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After letting victory slip from their grasp against Lille a week earlier, Rennes signed off for the international period on a happier note, with their 2-0 defeat of Marseille rejuvenating hopes of a top-six finish in May.
A potentially pivotal fixture in the race for Europe saw Les Rouge et Noirs score in both halves, thereby joining seventh-placed OM on 39 points with just eight rounds until the campaign's conclusion.
The Breton club have since extended coach Julien Stephan's contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, after his second spell in charge brought about an impressive revival.
Rennes have both inched up the standings and made the Coupe de France semis since Stephan's arrival in November, and they will soon face Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final.
The son of France assistant coach Guy Stephan now meets his former employers, against whom he has not lost any of three previous Ligue 1 meetings.
With his current club having gone unbeaten throughout their last six away games - Rennes' best such run since 2018 - maximum points will be the target this weekend.
Team News
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Patrick Vieira is without the services of several men at the moment, with Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel (hernia) headlining a list also featuring Moise Sahi (groin), Abakar Sylla (thigh) and Lebo Mothiba (knee) among others.
The young midfield pairing of Habib Diarra (20) and Chelsea loanee Andrey Santos (19) may be retained following the breakthrough win over Nantes last time out, while wing-back Marvin Senaya has attracted much interest for his displays on the right flank.
With seven goals, Emanuel Emegha is Strasbourg's top scorer this term, and he also leads the way among all Ligue 1 players born in the 21st century.
Rennes, meanwhile, can welcome Arthur Theate back into the fold after the Belgian defender missed their final fixture before international football took centre stage.
Further improving Julien Stephan's options for Sunday, Enzo Le Fee (hamstring) and Fabian Rieder (foot) recently rejoined training. Ludovic Blas and Adrien Truffert are both suspended, though.
Amine Gouiri has scored three goals in his last three games against Strasbourg and has also been directly involved in four from his last four league appearances; Benjamin Bourigeaud recently became Rennes' outright top scorer this century and now needs one more goal to become the first player to reach 50 for the club since 1970.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Bellaarouch; Guilbert, Perrin, Sow; Senaya, Santos, Diarra, Delaine; Bakwa, Emegha, Gameiro
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; G. Doue, Wooh, Seidu, Theate; Santamaria, Matusiwa; Bourigeaud, Gouiri, Terrier; Kalimuendo
We say: Strasbourg 0-2 Rennes
Strasbourg have been ahead for only 14% of their Ligue 1 fixtures this season - the lowest percentage throughout the division - and they will be up against a much-improved side on Sunday. Another home loss could be the outcome, as Rennes can take more than one route to unlocking their hosts' defence.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
