Ligue 2 side Troyes will hope to cause an upset in the Coupe de France round of 32 when they host Ligue 1 club Rennes on Wednesday at Stade de l'Aube.
The home team beat Metz 3-0 in the previous round of the competition on December 20, while the away side defeated Bordeaux 4-1 on December 22.
Match preview
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The hosts are currently 15th in Ligue 2 with 21 points from 18 games and are only six points above 16th-placed Caen, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Troyes have never won the Coupe de France, and while they have triumphed in their last three games in the tournament, they did lose the previous six matches in the competition.
Boss Stephane Dumont was appointed as manager in the middle of August after David Guion was sacked following his suspension as coach prior to the club's first league game of the season.
Dumont's side are in good overall form considering they have won three of their last four fixtures – losing one match in that time – and they did keep a clean sheet in each of those victories.
Troyes are unbeaten in their five most recent outings at home - winning three and drawing two – but they have been defeated in four of their past six matches at Stade de l'Aube in the Coupe de France.
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Opponents Rennes are also fighting relegation given they are 14th in Ligue 1 with 17 points after 17 matchweeks and are only one point above 16th-placed Saint-Etienne, who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot.
Manager Jorge Sampaoli took over from previous boss Julien Stephan, and has only been in charge of the club since November 11.
To Sampaoli's credit, while his team have lost four times during his tenure, he has achieved victory in three of his seven games in charge, as many as the Red and Blacks had won in their prior 10.
It should also be noted that Rennes have conceded 25 goals in the top flight, and this is the joint best defensive record among sides in the bottom 10.
However, the visitors' record on the road is alarming considering they have been beaten in eight of their last 10 games away from home, though they have also won five of their six most recent away matches in the Coupe de France.
Team News
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Troyes could name a similar starting lineup to the side that beat Metz, so perhaps goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher will be protected by centre-backs Adrien Monfray and Michel Diaz.
Abdoulaye Kante may be stationed at the base of a midfield three next to Youssouf M'Changama and Mouhamed Diop, while Renaud Ripart could spearhead the hosts' attack.
The visitors will be without defender Alidu Seidu for the remainder of the season, and his absence could mean that Hans Hateboer, Leo Ostigard and Mikayil Faye form a back three on Wednesday.
Winger Andres Gomez and striker Henrik Meister are likely to miss out on action for a few more weeks, so expect Ludovic Blas and Albert Gronbaek to support forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Boucher; Mendes, Monfray, Diaz, Gozzi; M'Changama, Kante, Diop; Irie, Ripart, Said
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; Hateboer, Ostigard, Faye; Assignon, James, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Gronbaek; Kalimuendo
We say: Troyes 1-2 Rennes
Rennes should be considered favourites to advance considering they are a division above their opponents and will likely be able to field players of higher individual quality.
However, the visitors' away record should give Troyes some hope that they can at least trouble Rennes on Wednesday, though it is difficult to see them winning.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
