Unlike in their UEFA Europa League opener, Stade Rennais could start with their strongest line-up against OFI Crete on Thursday night.

In Rennes’ opener, which ended in a draw, Franck Haise had one eye on the weekend game against Olympique Lyonnais, which his side would go on to lose 4-0. It meant that some key players didn’t start the game. But on this occasion, Haise looks set to field what would be considered his first team.

That of course features Esteban Lepaul in the No.9 position. Valentin Rongier will also captain the side from midfield. Quentin Merlin and Mahamadou Nagida have been rotating and it is the latter who is expected to get the nod. And there may still be no place for Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal in the starting XI.

Rennes likely line-up v OFI Crete

Brice Samba; Mahamdou Nagida, Anthony Rouault, Charlie Cresswell, Przemyslaw Frankowski; Valentin Rongier; Ludovic Blas, Adrien Thomasson, Sébastien Szymanski, Eliezer Mayenda; Esteban Lepaul. (L’Éq)