Stade Rennais FC - Stade de Reims

- Kick-off at 17:00 CET (15:00 GMT)

Former Reims goalkeeper Mendy completed his switch to southwest London last Thursday and there were emotional goodbyes in the Rennes dressing room with the 28-year-old as popular with his teammates as he was with les Rouge et Noir's fans after an impressive single season at Roazhon Park.

Sailing with Salin

Mendy hasn't played since the opening day 1-1 draw at LOSC, though, and since then Rennes have gone on an absolute tear with 36-year-old Romain Salin between the posts, winning each of the four of their games since to the tune of 11 goals scored and just four conceded.

Last weekend's victory was perhaps their most impressive performance to date. Rennes scored three goals without reply at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, against a Sainté who could themselves have gone top with a win.

Watch: Highlights of Rennes' 3-0 win over Saint-Étienne

New signings Serhou Guirassy and Steven Nzonzi have slotted seamlessly into the side - the former scoring his third goal in four games against ASSE; the latter holding together a midfield alongside an Eduardo Camavinga returning to full fitness - but Stéphan singled out Salin for special praise.

"I'm surprised that you're surprised with his performance!" he told the press pack after the game. "We need to replace Edou scientifically, that's essential, but Roman has an important role in the dressing room and when he's called upon to play, he's always good. He's been in for four games - so much the better. We'll add another goalkeeper soon, then the best will play."

Maouassa missing

Since that presser, Rennes have added Dijon FCO's Alfred Gomis to their ranks. Whether he or Salin will hold the fort remains to be seen, although there will be no Faitout Maouassa in front of either of them against Reims. The first-choice left-back has injured his ankle, so Hamari Traoré will once again switch flanks with youngsters Brandon Soppy and Sacha Boey competing for his regular spot at right-back.

Reims were only three places and nine points worse off than Rennes when the 2019-20 season was truncated due to the global coronavirus pandemic, but the new campaign has been significantly less kind to the Champagne club.

Their first European foray in 57 years concluded after just two games, David Guion's men bowing out on penalties to Hungarian outfit Fehervar in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, and they have yet to win in Ligue 1 Uber Eats in 2020-21.

Watch: Highlights of Reims's 2-0 loss to PSG

Reims lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain last Sunday - a result that left them in 19th with Dijon FCO only below them by virtue of their inferior goal-difference - and while defeat to the champions will have raised few eyebrows, Guion thought his side could have taken more from the game.

'Deserved a goal'

"I have no doubts about my players' state of mind," explained Stéphan's opposite number. "I wanted my players to show our values in this match, to play with panache. I think we played well against Paris and I regret that [Boulaye Dia] hit the post. I think we deserved a goal, but unfortunately we've lacked a cutting edge."

Guion is without midfielder Marshall Munetsi, the Zimbabwe international suspended following his red card in the 2-1 loss at FC Metz in Round 4. He joins a Moussa Doumbia struggling with a shoulder complaint on the sidelines.

Possible line-ups

Rennes: Salin; Soppy, Da Silva, Aguerd, Traoré; Camavinga, Nzonzi, Bourigaud; Raphinha, Guirassy, Terrier

Reims: Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid, Konan; Cafaro, Cassama, Chavalerin, Zeneli; Dia, Touré