Juventus will try to preserve their perfect start to the Europa League when they host an attack-minded Stade Rennais on Thursday, with both sides unbeaten in the competition and Esteban Lepaul’s availability a key concern for the visitors.

The Italian side opened with a 5-0 home win against NEC before edging past Celta Vigo 2-1 at Estadio Balaidos. Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani scored in Spain, lifting Juventus to the top of the league phase and putting them in a strong position to reach the knockout stages.

That European form contrasts sharply with their domestic campaign. Luciano Spalletti’s side have won only one of their past five Serie A matches and dropped to eighth after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Lazio. Woltemade and Kolo Muani both missed excellent chances in that match, leaving Juventus eight points behind leaders Inter Milan.

The club’s start is also worse than at the same stage last season, shortly before Igor Tudor was dismissed and replaced by Spalletti. Antonio Conte, currently available, is already being linked with the pressure facing the Juventus manager.

Thursday’s meeting is the first between Juventus and Rennes since 1999, when the Italian club won a two-legged Intertoto Cup final. Conte was among Juventus’ scorers in that tie.

Rennes are seeking a first victory in Italy after losing all four previous away matches there, against Juventus, Udinese, Lazio and AC Milan. Franck Haise’s team began their European campaign with a goalless draw against Sturm Graz and then beat OFI Crete through a late Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal goal.

Their defensive record in Europe has been particularly strong. Rennes rank first among the 36 league-phase clubs for lowest expected goals against, at 0.79, and have allowed only 13 shots. In Ligue 1, however, they have combined the division’s best attack, with 15 goals, with 14 conceded.

They suffered a 4-3 defeat by Paris FC in a seven-goal thriller on Sunday. Lepaul scored a hat-trick of penalties, but captain Valentin Rongier conceded a late spot-kick which Paris FC converted. Rennes fell to sixth, although they remain one point behind the five teams above them.

Lepaul is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury at the weekend. Boulaye Dia, on loan from Lazio, could replace him. Rongier, initially rested against Paris FC, is expected to captain Rennes from midfield. Mahamadou Nagida and Quentin Merlin are competing for the left-back position, while Bryan Reynolds could start ahead of Przemysław Frankowski.

Juventus are also short of options. Francisco Conceicao dislocated his shoulder on Sunday and joins Kenan Yıldız, Khephren Thuram, Jeff Ekhator, Kamil Grabara and captain Manuel Locatelli on the injury list. Woltemade has scored in both Europa League matches and could partner Kolo Muani or lead the attack alone.

Probable teams

Juventus: Vicario; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Celik, Luiz, Sarr, Cambiaso; McKennie, Alajbegovic; Woltemade.

Rennes: Samba; Reynolds, Cresswell, Ait Boudlal, Nagida; Szymanski, Rongier, Camara; Blas, Dia, Soumare.

Juventus have won their past four European home matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding two. The betting selections are both teams to score and fewer than 4.5 goals at 2.15, Kolo Muani to score at 2.45, and either Lepaul or Woltemade to score at 1.73.

Europa League form: Juventus V, V; Rennes N, V. All-competition form: Juventus V, V, D, N, V, D; Rennes V, N, D, V, V, D.