Rennes vs Auxerre prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-04-05 15:15.
[p]The Rennes revival under Habib Beye has been quite remarkable, with a second successive mid-table finish now on the cards rather than a fight to avoid relegation. They were in 16th when Jorge Sampaoli was sacked in January, but have since gone on a run of five wins in eight outings (L3) to pull eight points clear of danger pre-round.[/p]
[p]A 3-0 victory over Angers was the perfect response to back-to-back defeats against PSG and Lens, paving the way for Rennes to set their sights on climbing the table further as only three points separate them from next opponents Auxerre. Rennes boast a ten-match unbeaten run in home league matches against newly-promoted opposition (W8, D2), but form at Roazhon Park this term has let them down, last suffering more than their six Ligue 1 home defeats back in 2017/18.[/p]
[p]The form of opponents Auxerre suggests another loss is a distinct possibility, as the visitors have been beaten just once in their last five matches (W3, D1). That run includes a 2-0 away win at Reims, but success on the road has been hard to come by for AJA, whose measly nine-point haul on their travels is better than only the division’s bottom two sides heading into the weekend.[/p]
[p]Christophe PĂ©lissier’s side remain on course for a mid-table finish in their first season back in Ligue 1 regardless, with the top half not yet out of their grasp. Preserving those hopes could depend on adding to their 25 Ligue 1 victories over Rennes (D10, L14) – one of which was a  4-0 thumping in the reverse fixture – and they have only beaten Lille more often (30) in their top-flight history![/p]
[p]Key battle: On target twice against Angers, Arnaud Kalimuendo looks set to lead the line for Rennes having netted first or last in nine of his last ten scoring appearances. He’ll have to get past Auxerre defender Jubal, who has blocked a joint-league high 27 shots pre-round and has also scored four times in his last eight appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rennes are unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season when leading at half-time (W8, D1), but have lost all nine games when trailing at the break.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]