Lyon vs Rennes – News and Probable Lineups

This upcoming fixture in Ligue 1 holds significant European stakes as Lyon prepares to host Rennes at Groupama Stadium on Sunday.

As they head into this matchday, OL is positioned third on the table following a narrow 3-2 loss to Auxerre, placing them just a point ahead of Rennes, who find themselves in fifth after a 2-1 victory against Nantes.

Match overview

It seems that Lyon is finding their stride at a crucial moment in their pursuit of an automatic spot in the next Champions League League Phase.

Paulo Fonseca’s squad heads into this encounter narrowly ahead of Lille for that all-important automatic qualification spot, bolstered by their current three-match winning streak in Ligue 1.

With another win this weekend, they could match their longest domestic winning streak of the season at Groupama Stadium.

This season, they have managed to keep a clean sheet at home in eight of their top-flight fixtures, three of which were recorded this year.

Since the commencement of the 2022-23 season, Olympique Lyonnais has secured six victories in their seven domestic home matches played in May, with their only defeat during this period arriving against Lens in 2025 (2-1).

Les Gones have triumphed in two of their last three home clashes against Rennes in this competition, including a dominant 4-1 victory in this very matchup last season.

Stade Rennais is another club that has shown significant improvement this season, adapting seamlessly to Franck Haise’s tactical style.

The former Nice and Lens manager has achieved a perfect away record since assuming control of this side in February.

In their last four away matches in the top division, the Brittany outfit has been victorious, outscoring their four opponents by an impressive combined score of 14-3.

If they manage to secure at least four points from their remaining three league games, they will surpass the 60-point mark for the third time in Ligue 1 this decade.

On Sunday, they have the opportunity to achieve an eighth away win in domestic competitions this season, doubling their tally from the previous campaign.

Les Rennais have won three of their last four Ligue 1 encounters with Lyon, scoring no less than three goals in each of those three victories.

Team News

Malick Fofana and Remi Himbert are sidelined for Lyon due to ankle injuries, while Ernest Nuamah is out with a torn cruciate ligament, and Orel Mangala is carrying a knock.

Roman Yaremchuk scored two goals for them last Saturday, along with Corentin Tolisso who also found the net in that tight win.

At Rennes, Przemyslaw Frankowski is expected to miss out due to a muscle strain, while Jeremy Jacquet remains doubtful as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Esteban Lepaul netted his league-leading 18th goal of the season last week, with Valentin Rongier scoring the winner in stoppage time.

Lyon probable starting XI:

Count; Maitland-Niles,, Mata, Niakhate, Abner; Tessmann, Morton; Endrick, Tolisso, Moreira; Yaremchuk

Rennes probable starting XI:

Samba; Seidu, Boudlal, Brassier, Merlin; Blas, Rongier, Camara; Al-Taamari, Embolo, Lepaul

Both teams are in good form and exude confidence, but we are leaning slightly towards Rennes due to their current momentum, and we believe Lepaul’s dynamic finishing might give them the edge.