Rennes vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-01-10 20:05.
[p]Poor decision making cost Rennes a point at Nice (L 3-2), meaning that the Brittany outfit have now lost five of their last seven Ligue 1 matches (W2). Consequently, they were 13th and only two points above the bottom-three ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, a far cry from their four top-six finishes achieved between 2020 and 2023. [/p]
[p]In an effort to improve their situation, Rennes have already invested significantly in the January transfer window, including bringing in former Lens midfielder Seko Forfana. The Red and Blacks fared well in their last two home games with wins over Angers (2-0) and Saint-Étienne (5-0), though facing high-flying Marseille looks set to be a difficult proposition. That said, Rennes’ recent record in this fixture at Roazhon Park is very impressive, having won four of the last five such meetings in any competition (L1). [/p]
[p]Marseille won’t be thinking about past H2Hs as they prepare to face former head coach Jorge Sampaoli here, and in stark contrast to Rennes, Roberto De Zerbi’s men found themselves second going into the weekend, albeit seven points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain. A key reason for the Italian’s strong debut campaign in charge so far is his side’s formidable league away record (W7, L1) – the best in the division – while they have perhaps been aided by not competing in Europe this season. [/p]
[p]Nine goals scored in their last two competitive encounters underlines the attacking firepower that has fuelled Marseille’s recent success, with five of those nine coming between the 20th minute and half-time break. Whilst it’s hard to identify many areas for improvement, Marseille will no doubt be targeting more clean sheets, having kept just one in their last eight Ligue 1 matches. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After failing to score in six straight games for Rennes earlier this season, Arnaud Kalimuendo has since netted five goals in five appearances. Despite a positive career record against Marseille (W4, D2, L2), the 22-year-old has never scored against them – the most times he has faced a single opponent without having done so. Another player who went six matches without finding the net this term was Neal Maupay, who ended that drought in the 5-1 thumping of Le Havre last Sunday, meaning that his last six goals were all scored before the break. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Marseille had received more red cards than any other side in Ligue 1 this season going into the weekend (five). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]