Rennes vs Brest prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-01-17 18:00.
[p]Concern is growing at Rennes as their 2-1 loss to Marseille on Saturday was their tenth in Ligue 1 this term (W5, D2). That left them just a point above the relegation places heading into this weekend and prompted manager Jorge Sampaoli to admit his side have âa lot of work aheadâ, but reinforcements have arrived in the shape of goalkeeper Brice Samba and midfielder Seko Fofana in the January transfer window.[/p]
[p]Samba said he was happy to join a âstrong, stableâ club and those words could be applied to the Red and Blacksâ home form against other sides in the bottom-half, as theyâve won all four such matches âto nilâ while scoring 11 times. And with next opponents Brest currently sitting just outside the top-half, the omens are good for Rennes, whoâve lost only one of the last 12 H2Hs here (W7, D4).[/p]
[p]That defeat came last season as Brest won a 5-4 thriller, but excitement levels have been a little lower of late as theyâve alternated between wins and losses in the league (W3, L3). Their first ever UEFA Champions League participation has pushed them hard this term, but Ăric Royâs men are still within striking distance of the top-half, if not the European qualification places. [/p]
[p]As theyâve lost their last four league away games, and seven of their eight such matches this term (W1), itâs easy to see why Brest are less likely to be playing the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid next term. All seven of those defeats saw them concede at least twice and only Rennes, Saint-Ătienne and Montpellier finished the last matchday with inferior Ligue 1 away records this term (W1, L7).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Arnaud Kalimuendo scored between the 25th minute and half-time of both of Rennesâ last two league games, but could be an even earlier threat given he struck twice before the tenth minute in this fixture last term. Brestâs Mahdi Camara, who also scored in that game, is another possible early scorer as he netted in the eighth minute last time out against Lyon (W 2-1).[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Rennes havenât won any of their last five Ligue 1 Breton derbies (D2, L3).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]