Stade Rennais will have to navigate their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture without their in-form shot-stopper, Brice Samba.
The 30-year-old French-Congolese goalkeeper, who has kept back-to-back clean sheets under new manager Habib Beye, is set to miss the clash with Stade de Reims due to suspension.
Samba’s yellow card against AS Saint-Étienne on Friday—his third in the last 10 Ligue 1 matches—triggers an automatic ban, dealing a blow to Rennes’ defensive stability. Despite the setback, Beye’s side secured a crucial 2-0 victory, lifting them to 12th place and widening the gap in the relegation battle.
With Rennes sitting five points above AS Saint-Étienne in the play-off zone and six clear of Le Havre AC in the automatic drop spots, momentum is on their side. However, Reims, winless in their last 10 league outings, will be desperate to break their poor run after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais.
Before the Reims showdown on February 21, Rennes face a tough test against Lille OSC next Sunday at Roazhon Park.
