Champions League team news and prediction: Chelsea vs Rennes

Chelsea host Rennes tonight as they look to build upon their 4-0 win over Krasnodar last week and inflict further misery upon the Champions League debutants. 

The Blues are in good form coming into the welcome of the French, with the capture of Edouard Mendy from Rennes having the desired effect between the sticks for Frank Lampard's side. 

In the build up to the meeting in England, we have all your need-to-know match information, including team news, probable XIs and where you can catch this contest on television. 

When is kick off?  

Wednesday 4th November, 20:00 GMT  

Where is the match?  

Stamford Bridge, London 

Where can I watch it?  

BT Sport 2 

Group Stage So Far 

Chelsea, along with Liverpool and group rivals Sevilla, are one of three teams yet to concede a Champions League goal this season. The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw with Sevilla last month, but followed that up with a thumping 4-0 win at Krasnodar to put themselves in the driving seat for progression. 

Rennes currently occupy the Europa League spot in Group E on account of their better goal difference than Krasnodar. The French drew 1-1 with their Russian counterparts to kick off their Champions League campaign, but fell to a 1-0 loss at Sevilla last time out and the going is likely to be tougher this time around. 

Team News 

Chelsea are still waiting to learn the full extent of Christian Pulisic's hamstring issue, but the American is set to miss out here and Frank Lampard must make a decision on who starts out wide against Rennes. Callum Hudson-Odoi started, and scored in, the 4-0 win in Krasnodar and is set to deputise for Pulisic with Hakim Ziyech on the opposite flank.

In midfield, youngster Billy Gilmour remains sidelined, while Kepa is close to a return to fitness after a shoulder injury, though he would not have started anyway as Eduoard Mendy gears up for a reunion with Rennes. Thiago Silva missed the victory in Russia last week as Lampard manages his fitness and it may be that Antonio Rudiger fills in at the back as he did last week, and at left-back, Marcos Alonso is available after serving a ban.  

It's the same story for Steven Nzonzi, who missed Rennes' 1-0 defeat at the hands of former side Sevilla due to a ban, but he returns here and his availability is a boost for the French side, who are without Eduardo Camavinga due to injury. Daniele Rugani limped off early on in the loss in Spain last week and is joined on the sidelines by M'Baye Niang and Faitout Maouassa. 

Probable XIs 

Chelsea (433) - Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Mount, Kante, Kovacic; Ziyech, Werner, Hudson-Odoi

Rennes (433) - Gomis; Traore, Silva, Aguerd, Dalbert; Bourigeaud, Nzonzi, Martin; Doku, Guirassy, Terrier

Key Battle - Edouard Mendy vs Alfred Gomis

Edouard Mendy has a quick reunion with his former side Rennes. The Senegal international departed the French outfit for Chelsea earlier in the year, following in the footsteps of Petr Cech, and has looked solid as the last line of defence, keeping a clean sheet in all five league and European outings for the Blues.

Five days after Mendy had left Rennes for Chelsea, the Ligue 1 side had his replacement secured. Alfred Gomis arrived from French side Dijon to succeed his compatriot for Rennes and while the 27-year-old hasn't had the same impact as his Sengeal teammate has made at Stamford Bridge, Gomis is a fine shotstopper on his day and this battle between international teammates adds an interesting sub-plot to tonight's encounter.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Rennes