Rennes vs AC Ajaccio prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-08-20 15:05.
Rennes may have registered only one point after two Ligue 1 rounds (D1, L1), but there should be no reason to panic just yet, as the last time that happened – back in 2017/18 – they finished in fifth. However, coach Bruno Genesio’s men will hope to rally quickly, especially after a frustrating 1-1 draw at Monaco last weekend which saw the points shared despite Rennes playing over 75 minutes against ten men!
Now looking to avoid back-to-back opening home defeats in Ligue 1 for the first time since 1991/92, Rennes will surely rely on a backline that has kept six clean sheets across their last ten Ligue 1 outings at the Allianz Rivera. A meeting with Ajaccio may be a golden opportunity to avoid that scenario too, as they’ve won six of their last seven home H2Hs.
Newcomers Ajaccio have made the same start to the Ligue 1 campaign as Rennes (D1, L1), and that’s despite facing two likely European spot contenders in Lyon and Lens. Manager Olivier Pantaloni's side have also already recorded their first clean sheet of the season – against Lens last time out (0-0) – something they managed only twice across their previous stint in the top-flight back in 2013/14.
Scoring goals at Rennes doesn’t often come easy for Ajaccio, who have scored under 1.5 goals in each of their last 14 visits to the capital of Brittany, so the return from suspension of striker Romain Hamouma will be seen as a huge boost. However, just a single victory in 32 previous Ligue 1 away games (D13, L18) doesn’t inspire hope that they will claim their first win here in over 50 years!
Key battle: Rennes will hope Lovro Majer can find the net as they won by a two-goal margin in all five games he scored in last term. Aiming to shut him out is defender Fernand Mayembo, who has contributed to five clean sheets across his last seven league starts, including his debut appearance with Ajaccio last weekend.
Hot stat: Before this round, pre-match favourites had won only 42% of Ligue 1 games in 2022/23 (W8, D8, L3).