Top meets bottom in Ligue 1 in the seventh gameweek of the 2020-21 campaign as Dijon welcome Rennes to the Stade Gaston Gerard on Friday evening.
The hosts are rooted to the bottom of the table with only one point to show from six games, whereas Rennes currently lead the way with four wins and two draws so far.
Match preview
© Reuters
After finally managing to get off the mark for the season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Montpellier, Dijon may have been cautiously optimistic about their chances of taking points off a Bordeaux side struggling to find their shooting boots.
However, Stephane Jobard's men were comfortably put to the sword by Les Girondins, who marched to a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Remi Oudin, Samuel Kalu and Toma Basic.
The Hiboux faithful will be hoping that the international break has given Jobard the chance to reassess Dijon's situation and look to turn things around heading into the winter months, with Friday's hosts one of only two sides in the French top flight yet to register a league win this season - the other being Reims.
With only three goals scored and 13 conceded, Dijon's goal difference of -10 is currently the worst in the division, and Jobard's players must now navigate a challenging fixture against a Rennes outfit who have comfortably swept aside most teams who have stood before them in the early stages of the new campaign.
© Reuters
Rennes would have been expected to walk away with all three points from their meeting with an out-of-sorts Reims in gameweek six, but the table-toppers were surprisingly forced to settle for just one point against the strugglers.
Goals from Damien Da Silva and Raphinha - who left for Leeds United on deadline day - saw Rennes head into half time with a 2-1 lead, but Boulaye Dia's second-half strike ensured that the spoils were shared and Rennes's four-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.
Julien Stephan will be hoping that the 2-2 stalemate with a lowly Reims is just a temporary blip as his side look to pick up where they left off following the international break, although Lille boast the same points and goal difference as Rennes and will be ready to pounce should Stephan's side falter against a struggling side two gameweeks in a row.
Rennes overcame Lorient with ease in a friendly clash during the international break, although the Champions League contenders have lost their last two games against Dijon, including a 2-1 defeat in this fixture last season.
Dijon Ligue 1 form: LLLLDL
Rennes Ligue 1 form: DWWWWD
Team News
© Reuters
Dijon have no fresh injury concerns heading into their showdown with Rennes, with Romain Amalfitano and Yassine Benzia the only absentees that Jobard has to contend with.
Following Alfred Gomis's departure to their weekend opponents, Dijon wasted no time in bringing in two new goalkeepers in Anthony Racioppi and Saturnin Allagbe, and it is the latter who will be expected to start this one.
As for the visitors, Gomis may not be able to feature in his return to Dijon owing to a thigh problem, meaning that 36-year-old Romain Salin should keep his spot in between the sticks for now.
Following Raphinha's departure to Elland Road, Rennes acquired the signature of 18-year-old Jeremy Doku in a big-money move from Anderlecht, but Romain Del Castillo is more likely to feature here, while Daniele Rugani is in line for a start in defence after arriving on loan from Juventus.
Da Silva and Steven N'Zonzi are suspended for this encounter, while Stephan must also make do without the injured Martin Terrier, Nayef Aguerd, Mbaye Niang and Faitout Maouassa - the latter of whom is expected to remain sidelined until late December following ankle surgery.
Dijon possible starting lineup:
Allagbe; Chafik, Manga, Panzo, Chala; Cheikh, Marie, Ndong; Ebimbe, Assale, Chouiar
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Salin; Soppy, Traore, Rugani, Dalbert; Bourigeaud, Martin, Grenier; Del Castillo, Guirassy, Tait
We say: Dijon 1-2 Rennes
With suspensions, injuries and the international break all taking a toll on Rennes, the league leaders will be far from full-strength for this encounter. However, Stephan's men are coming up against a Dijon side with only one point from a possible 18 on offer this season, and we cannot see any other result than an away win here, albeit not a convincing one.
