Clermont vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-19 20:00.
A lack of goals continues to trouble Clermont, who have netted just ten times this Ligue 1 campaign, with that league-low figure seeing them prop up the rest of the division heading towards the winter break. Desperate to sign off for 2023 on a positive note, they’re winless in five league fixtures (D2, L3) after losing 2-1 to Marseille at the weekend, and lie two points behind Lyon in the relegation play-off place.
Manager Pascal Gastien was unhappy with their first-half performance, saying his side simply “watched them (Marseille) play” before improving after the break. But Lancers fans have become used to seeing their side start slowly as they haven’t scored a first-half goal at the Gabriel Montpied Stadium since their first home league game of the season and they’ve only won one Ligue 1 fixture here all term (D2, L5).
On paper then, this offers a Rennes side limping towards the winter break the chance to give their fans something to cheer about over Christmas, after their 0-0 draw with Toulouse made it four competitive games without a win (D1, L3). Not since 2018/19 have they lost as many of their first 18 league matches (six), leaving them only three points clear of 16th-placed Lyon.
And there’s more reason to be wary as they head south because all four prior Ligue 1 H2Hs were won by the home side on the day, with Rennes losing both trips to Stade Gabriel Montpied by the same 2-1 margin. With the Red and Blacks still seeking a first league away win this term (D4, L3) and failing to score in any of their last three (D1, L2), 2024 probably can’t come soon enough for Julien Stéphan’s side.
Players to watch: With cards potentially more plentiful than goals here, Clermont’s Maxime Gonalons has picked up three bookings across his last eight appearances and Rennes’ Warmed Omari was cautioned in their last two league fixtures.
Hot stat: Rennes received either two or three yellow cards in each of their last eight league games (W1, D2, L5).