In the match of the 12th round of the French championship Lille will play at home with Rennes. In other times it would have been a confrontation between two contenders for places, if not in the Champions League zone, then in the European Cup at least. But now Rennes are in a deep crisis despite a very good squad and great potential. The Bretonians are only 14th in Ligue 1, with a gap of only four points from the last place. However, they are the same four points away from the top ten. But to move up, they need to beat Lille away. And it will be extremely difficult to do that. "Doges" in the French championship are in fourth place, behind Marseille on four points and ahead of a whole group of teams on two points.

In the last ten consecutive matches in all tournaments Lille does not know defeat. Although before the break for the national team games three times in a row ended in a draw: against Lyon (1:1), Juventus in the Champions League (1:1) and Nice (2:2). Before that, Lille beat Lance (2-0) and Atletico (3-1) in the Champions League. On their home field, Lille scored in all matches this season and lost only once - to PSG (1-3) in early September.

Rennes can only dream of such indicators. He has one win in the last seven rounds - over Le Havre (1-0). In the previous two matches, the Bretons lost - Auxerre (0:4) and Toulouse (0:2). Such results seem hopeless. Especially away, where Rennes scored only one point, playing a draw with Brest (1:1). On the road, however, he scored a goal in every game but one.

Last season, Lille and Rennes drew twice with the same score 2-2. This time Rennes can show their potential and give the Dogs a fight, but the hosts will justifiably be considered favourites.