PREVIEW: WEEKEND FRENCH ACTION Rich Fidler - Thursday, October 29, 2009
Rennes will host Valenciennes, winners of two in a row and four of their last five, on Sunday afternoon.
Rennes - Valenciennes
Following last weekend's shock three goal victory over Montpellier, Rennes will stay at home once again to face Valenciennes at Stade de la Route-de-Lorient.
American defender Carlos Bocanegra will be slot in at left back in a game that will feature both teams tied in the Ligue 1 standings with 16 points each.
Unfortunately for Rennes head coach Frederic Antonetti, he will be without defender Petter Hansson once again as he continues his recovery from a calf problem. French National Team striker Jimmy Briand is sidelined as his continues rehab from a knee injury suffered last season.
The visitors are coming off a 2-0 victory over St. Etienne on the road, and the game against Rennes will wrap up a two game road-trip.
Former Celtic defender Dianbobo Balde signed with Valenciennes last Wednesday and made a 19-minute appearance in the victory over St Etienne. He could even see more time this weekend against Rennes.
Striker Mamadou Samassa, who is on-loan from Marseille, is doubtful for the match after suffering a knee injury in training last week. The 23-year old has two goals in only four appearances for head coach Philippe Montanier.
Notes
Sochaux will host Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday at Stade Bonal without Charlie Davies who is out for the season following a tragic car accident.
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