Strasbourg vs Rennes Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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In the second season of the BlueCo-Strasbourg experiment, Liam Rosenior’s side were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Montpellier as they now welcome a Rennes side that began in extremely impressive fashion against Lyon.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 25th August, 2024 - UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – beIN Sports or beIN Sports de Espanol
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – TBC / US – Fubo or Fanatiz
STRASBOURG PREVIEW: ADAPTING TO ROSENIOR
Strasbourg are a storied and famous club in France but their supporters have become extremely unhappy with the BlueCo ownership of the club effectively making them something of a feeder club to Chelsea. The Alsace-based club are therefore operating in what is quite a hostile environment.
Former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior replaced Patrick Vieira over the summer in the dugout and he started with a 1-1 draw. Habib Diarra did give Strasbourg the lead against Montpellier Herault after 59 minutes but Strasbourg were then pegged back by a Teji Savanier penalty shortly afterwards.
RENNES PREVIEW: THE REAL RENNES
With another impressive summer of recruitment at Rennes, the visitors, under the management of Julian Stephan who took charge during the November international break mid-way through last season, have begun their season well as they ambitiously expect to return to UEFA competition this season.
They come into this one on the back of defeating an Olympique Lyonnais side that were the best team in France after Pierre Sage’s appointment last season by three goals to nil. Captain Benjamin Bourigeaud opened the scoring after 19 minutes before Amine Gouiri scored soon after and then Henrik Meister completed the victory in second-half stoppage-time.
STRASBOURG TEAM NEWS: FRUSTRATING ISSUES FOR STRASBOURG
Liam Rosenior is having to deal with a couple of injury issues for this weekend’s clash in the early stages of his career in France with new signing Felix Lemarechal missing the opening games due to injury.
As well as Lemarechal, they are still without key attacker Moise Sahi, whilst defender Milos Lukovic is currently unavailable with an unknown illness.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Johnsson; Doue, Sow, Sylla; Bakwa, Mwanga, Doukoure, Wiley; Diarra, Diong; Emegha
UNAVAILABLE: Lukovic (Illness), Lemarechal (Injured), Sahi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RENNES TEAM NEWS: JUST ONE CONCERN
Julien Stephan managed to adapt last weekend but he will have to do so once again this weekend with former Paris Saint-Germain striker Armand Kalimuendo still sidelined for Rennes.
Stephan opted for a 4-1-2-1-2 system last weekend with both Amine Gouiri and Ludovic Blas, neither out and out forwards, the furthest forward in their defeat of Lyon at Roazhon Park.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Mandanda; Assignon, Ostigard, Wooh, Seidu; Matusiwa; Bourigeaud, Kamara; Gronbaek; Blas, Gouiri
UNAVAILABLE: Kalimuendo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
STRASBOURG VS RENNES PREDICTION
Liam Rosenior’s style of football at Hull City was often possession for possession’s sake and that did see him relieved of his duties, despite the Tigers enjoying what appeared to be quite an impressive campaign in the Championship last season. If Rennes remain clinical in transition with their abundance of quality and vertical play through the midfield then it could become a very impressive start to the season for the away team.
STRASBOURG VS RENNES TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – RENNES TO WIN OR DRAW
