Auxerre v Rennes: European push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Auxerre host Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, 22 February 2026 at Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps, with the visitors targeting European consolidation and the hosts trying to climb away from the relegation play-off place.

Rennes sit sixth on 34 points while Auxerre are 16th with 17. The last meeting finished 2-2 in October, after Auxerre had won the previous two league games between the sides.

Form points both ways. Auxerre have tightened up with back-to-back 0-0 draws before a 3-1 win at Metz. Rennes snapped a four-match league losing run by beating PSG 3-1 last time out, a result that steadied their push for Europe.

Team news could matter. Auxerre list Francisco Sierralta, Romain Faivre, Oussama El Azzouzi, Lasso Coulibaly and Telli Siwe as injured. Rennes are without Przemysław Frankowski, Glen Kamara and Jérémy Jacquet.

The match-up may hinge on Rennes' greater attacking output against Auxerre's recent defensive gains. Rennes have scored 34 league goals and average 1.5 per game, with Estéban Lepaul on 11 and plenty of supply from open-play crosses. Auxerre average 0.8 goals per game but have five clean sheets and could look for moments through Lassine Sinayoko, Sekou Mara and Josué Casimir.

A home win would lift Auxerre to 20 points and could ease them away from relegation play-off danger. Victory for Rennes would take them to 37 points and strengthen their hold on a European qualifying spot.