Monaco vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-08-12 15:00.
Monaco will need to rally quickly after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League at the third round qualification stage in midweek, as they conceded an 89th minute equaliser before losing in extra time against PSV. Naturally frustrated, coach Philippe Clement spoke frankly afterwards, stating that "being better doesn't mean winning the game”, but he will hope to rally the troops for this Ligue 1 home opener.
The Clement methods continues to work on the domestic front though, and a 2-1 win at Strasbourg in the opening round secured Monaco’s tenth victory in 11 Ligue 1 outings (D1). However, last week’s success doesn’t guarantee anything here and Monaco fans are used to seeing their side start slowly at the Stade Louis II as they haven’t won their opening league home game since 2017/18 (D3, L1)!
Visitors Rennes fell victim to the first surprise of the season in Ligue 1, as an own goal by Arthur Theate gifted Lorient an opening day victory. Coach Bruno Génésio lamented the “lack of efficiency” of his players in the final third, but the imminent signing of PSG striker Arnaud Kalimuendo should bolster a Rennes frontline which has scored on their last six visits to Monaco.
Improvement is badly needed at the other end of the pitch too if Rennes are to replicate last season’s run to fourth spot, especially as Génésio’s side are the only Ligue 1 team still looking for their first clean sheet on the road in 2022! H2H history suggests they will have to wait to break that duck, with Rennes’ last clean sheet at the Stade Louis II coming way back in January 2007 (W2, D2, L12, since).
Players to watch: Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder has found the net in each of his last eight personal H2Hs against Rennes (G10). Meanwhile, Flavien Tait could hold the key to a good start for Rennes considering he has opened the scoring inside 25 minutes in his previous two goalscoring H2Hs.
Hot stat: Only one of the last 33 top-flight H2H meetings ended 0-0.