Stade Rennais FC - Olympique de Marseille

- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

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Mandanda joined Rennes on a free transfer from Marseille last July, having racked up 613 appearances across two spells with les Phocéens between 2007 and 2022, winning Ligue 1 Uber Eats in 2010 and A FIFA World Cup with France along the way.

He has impressed in Brittany in what is meant to be the autumn of his career, keeping seven clean sheets and making some six saves from big chances as Rennes beat FC Nantes 1-0 in the Derby Breton last Sunday.

Lopez admires Mandanda

Rennes are just three places and six points behind Marseille - who are Paris Saint-Germain's closest pursuers - after 25 games played, and Pau Lopez, who succeeded Mandanda as No.1 at the Orange Vélodrome, remains full of admiration for him.

Watch: Highlights of Rennes' 1-0 win over Nantes

"Have I been better thanks to Mandanda's departure?" he asked before answering: "No, I don't think so. Mandanda was one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1 for a decade. But I also feel good here and hope to be here for a long time."

Whether Mandanda and Co. are led out by Hamari Traoré on Sunday remains to be seen. The Malian right-back has been struggling with a knock, hence Tottenham Hotspur loanee Djed Spence has had a chance to impress in recent weeks.

Rennes returnees

Martin Terrier (ruptured ACL), Xeka (ankle ligaments) and Lorenz Assigon (cruciate ligament) remain long-term absentees, but Flavien Tait (ankle), like Traoré, could be available again.

OM may be PSG's closest chasers in the league but they were dumped out of the Coupe de France quarter-finals by Ligue 2 BKT Annecy on Wednesday, losing on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's 3-0 loss to PSG

Igor Tudor's men had previously knocked out Rennes and PSG, the latter result leading to firework-led celebrations in Marseille's Vieux Port, and the visitors are looking to bounce back in Brittany after a shock result.

Tudor: 'great disappointment'

"It's a great disappointment, a great sadness" said the Croatian coach. "We're out of a competition we beat PSG and Rennes in, it's madness. Apart from a few details, I'm having a little trouble explaining this at the moment."

Marseile were close to full-strength on Wednesday and Tudor isn't expected to make too many changes. Samuel Gigot is back from an ankle injury and Chancel Mbemba returns from suspension having been banned from the most recent Classique - a 3-0 reverse.

Amine Harit will miss the rest of the season with a sprained LCL.

Possible teams

Rennes: Mandanda; Spence, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Majer, Santamaria, Bourigeaud; Doku, Kalimuendo, Toko Ekambi

Marseille: Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Rongier, Veretout, Tavares; Under, Malinovskyi; Alexis