Rennes hosts in-form Chelsea in Group E encounter of the UEFA Champions League 2020-21 on Tuesday. Both sides met in the first-leg encounter of Group E and Chelsea thrashed the visitors 3-0 at home.
Match Timings: Nov 24 11:25 PM IST
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After losing the first-leg game at Stamford Bridge, Rennes are on the host's side to change the table at the Roazhon Park in game week four. The French club lost to Bordeaux 1-0 on Friday in their previous domestic top-flight. The 2-1 victory over Brest is Rennes' only win in the last eight outings in all competitions. In the Champions League, Rennes are winless by picking just one point, achieved in a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar.
In a tough group with Sevilla and Chelsea, the French outfit requires a big turnaround to crack the knock-out stage. Julien Stephan's side needs to pull off something special to outclass their opponents which look slightly difficult. It's a final home game for Rennes in the Champions League as they would face Krasnodar and Sevilla in away-fixtures. The Ligue 1 side are sitting at 7th in the domestic season 2020-21 with 18 points after 11 matches.
Rennes have hosted the English clubs twice in European competitions and won both. The most recent victory was recorded against Arsenal in the 2019-20 Europa League. The away record can favour them as Chelsea have won just two of their nine away Champions League fixtures in France.
Meanwhile, The English Outfit is coming off five consecutive wins in all competitions. The Blues had won the previous meeting with Rennes 3-0 at home and in away-fixture, they are confident to get over from French club. Chelsea ran out the winner in their last top-flight fixture against Newcastle, courtesy of Tammy Abraham's second-half goal and Federico's own goal. Karl Darlow also made fine saves to keep the Blues high.
Lampard's men are sitting at the top in their respective group with a better goal difference than Sevilla. They have scored seven goals and conceded nothing in the UEFA competition. On the same night, Sevilla would face Krasnodar so this game would also decide Chelsea's spot in the knock-out stage.
In Premier League 2020-21, Chelsea moved to third spot after the victory at North East. With 18 points from eight games, the Blues are ahead of Leicester in goal difference and 2 points ahead of table-leaders Tottenham and 2nd placed Liverpool.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Rennes
Lineup: Gomis; Traore, Aguerd, Da Silva, Truffert; Nzonzi, Camavinga, Bourigeaud; Doku, Guirassy, Terrier
Champions League Form: D L L
Chelsea
Lineup: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Jorginho, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi
Champions League Form: D W W
Key Players
Rennes
Nayef Aguerd
3 goals in Ligue1 2020-21
Damien Da Silva
3 goals in Ligue1 2020-21
Chelsea
Timo Werner
4 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Tammy Abraham
3 goals in Premier League 2020-21
