Les Rouge et Noir were defeated 2-0 at home by Reims last time out, while Spurs’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Rennes
Rennes will be missing three players for this game, including exciting winger Jeremy Doku, who has a hamstring injury.
In Terrier’s absence, Kamaldeen Sulemana should be recalled to the left side, while Loic Bade returns from a domestic suspension and should replace Warmed Omari in the hosts’ backline.
Before the defeat to Reims, Genesio also lost Alfred Gomis (quarantine), Birger Meling (adductor), and Lovro Majer (hip), and it would be surprising to see any of the trio line up on Thursday.
Tottenham
Nuno has a number of injury concerns for this game, and he is also missing his South American contingent, so Spurs may field a sort of scratch XI here.
Tottenham are still without Davinson Sanchez, Cristian Romero, and Giovani Lo Celso due to quarantine regulations, and Tanganga’s dismissal at Selhurst Park has no bearing on European matches.
Son Heung-min, Ryan Sessegnon, and Steven Bergwijn are also unlikely to return from injury, while Eric Dier is also expected to miss out after being injured against Palace.
Prediction
Tottenham’s toughest test in the Europa Conference League group stages may well be this match, but it’s one they should pass.
Rennes haven’t been in great form in recent weeks, and they’ve also been without Eduardo Camavinga, arguably their best player.
Tottenham can make this game difficult for themselves, especially if they struggle to create chances, but their overall quality should lead to a win.
Santo has bigger fish to fry with Chelsea waiting for Spurs at the weekend, and the Portuguese is likely to field a slew of fringe players in a lineup that is otherwise depleted.
Both Rennes and Tottenham are expected to finish first and second in this group, but we cannot separate them on this occasion and anticipate a score draw on Thursday.
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Salin; Traore, Aguerd, Bade, Truffert; Santamaria, Bourigeaud, Tait; Laborde, Guirassy, Sulemana
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Doherty, Rodon, Tanganga, Davies; Skipp, Ndombele, Winks; Clarke, Lucas, Gil\
Our Prediction: Rennes 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur