Nantes vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-25 14:00.
Following Nantesâ Thursday night Europa League elimination at the hands of Italian giants Juventus, the Derby de la Bretagne against their great rivals and fellow eliminated Europa League participants Rennes now takes centre-stage. A whopping eight places and 15 points separates the sides ahead of the round, yet itâs bottom-half Nantes that hold a slight edge in the all-time standings of this revered derby (W40, D25, L33).
Building on that H2H record is the aim for Nantes, who are enduring a worse 24-game Ligue 1 start than in seven of their nine full campaigns since returning to the top-flight. Even so, the Canaries have been rock-solid here at the Stade de la Beaujoire, with only two of the top-four sides losing fewer than their two home league games (W4, D5, L2).
Looking to spoil the party are Rennes, and with manager Bruno GĂ©nĂ©sio never drawing a game against his touchline counterpart Antoine KombouarĂ© (W5, L5), the Brittany bragging rights appear likely to go one way or the other. Tipping the scale on that record may seem likely considering Rennes have recorded their joint-highest points total at this stage of a campaign during the three-points-for-a-win era, but to do so theyâll have to get over the disappointment of being cruelly ousted from Europe on penalties during the week.
However that joint record points return has come about despite Rennesâ poor away league record (W2, D4, L5). Now currently on a run of away league form thatâs as bad as relegation fodder Auxerre and Angers (D1, L4), Rennes must start becoming more consistent at all venues if theyâre to maintain their top-five position as theyâre currently the side with the greatest disparity between average points earned per home game (2.54) and away (0.91).
Players to watch: Ludovic Blas ended Nantesâ 262-minute wait for a home league goal in the lesser Breton derby against Lorient, meaning his last three league goals have come in wins âto nilâ. Looking to outdo him will be Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo who has scored against Nantes in each of the last two seasons, making them his joint-favourite opponents (G3).
Hot stat: Rennes are one of only four Ligue 1 sides yet to keep an away clean sheet.