Rennes vs Le Mans – News and Probable Lineups

After more than a decade, Rennes will meet Le Mans in Ligue 1, as they prepare for their round two fixture at Roazhon Park this Sunday.

During the opening weekend’s matches, both teams experienced 2-2 draws while each had a lead in the second half.

Match overview

Rennes struggled to convert a promising first half into a win last Sunday against Paris Saint-Germain, resulting in their first dropped points in the opening game of a Ligue 1 season since 2022.

Conversely, they have managed to secure points in five consecutive home top-flight matches while scoring multiple goals in each of those outings.

However, the Brittany side has struggled to secure victory in two of their last three league matches after taking the lead, with Franck Haise’s squad losing twice in those instances this season.

Stade Rennais has maintained an unbeaten home record in 2026 when heading into the halftime break with a lead, with their draw in the opening match of the season being the only occasion they have dropped points under such circumstances.

Last season, they claimed victory in two of their three league matches at Roazhon Park against teams promoted to Ligue 1, with their only loss occurring against their local rivals Lorient in January (2-0).

Les Rouge et Noirs have not lost at home to Le Mans this century, winning 2-1 the last time they met at Roazhon Park in Ligue 1 back in 2009.

Given that Le Mans had not played in the French top division in over 15 years, their performance in the first match of the season was commendable.

Although they were close to winning all three points, the club from Northwestern France managed to secure their first point in Ligue 1 since May 2010.

This Sunday marks their first away fixture in this league since that time, and they will look to break a run of three matches without a win in the top flight.

Patrick Videira’s squad has suffered just one loss away from home this year, conceding only once in their last three Ligue 2 matches on the road last season.

While they were recognized for having one of the best defenses in Ligue 2 last season, they allowed 23 of their 31 goals while playing away from their home ground.

Come Sunday, Les Mucistes will be aiming for their first away win in Ligue 1 against Stade Rennais, having not beaten them in this competition since 2005 (4-0).

Team News

In their opening match, Charlie Cresswell made his first start for Rennes since joining on loan from Toulouse, teaming up with Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal in central defense and stepping in for Jeremy Jacquet, who transferred to Liverpool during the summer.

Esteban Lepaul has emerged as a goal-scoring threat, netting seven times in pre-season, while he and Sebastian Szymanski both found the back of the net in their opening match.

Djibril Sidibe, a recent signing, will look to earn his first appearance with Le Mans after remaining unused in the previous match, whereas the back three against Brest featured Noa Boisse, Theo Eyoum, and Yasser Larouci.

Dame Gueye and Louis Mafouta were on target against Stade Brestois, with the former scoring his first goal in Ligue 1.

Rennes probable starting XI:

Samba; Frankowski, Ait Boudlal, Cresswell, Merlin; Rongier; Szymanski, Thomasson; Al-Taamari, Lepaul, Soumare

Le Mans probable starting XI:

Kocik; Boisse, Eyoum, Larouci; Bamba, Traore; Buades, Bourabaa; Mafouta, Rabillard, Gueye

Despite Le Mans showcasing sharp attacking play last week, they displayed some defensive frailties that are likely to be exploited against a potent and creative Rennes side, which features the most in-form striker in Ligue 1.