Rennes vs Lyon Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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These two will both believe they can get themselves into the race for the extra UEFA Champions League qualification spot in Ligue 1 this season with ambitious ownership and after strong summer transfer windows.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 18th August, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – TBC
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – TBC / US – TBC
RENNES PREVIEW: INTERESTING ADDITIONS
In the last couple of seasons, Stade Rennais have been pushing for European qualification and they are expected to do so once again this year. They have made some intriguing additions to the squad over the course of the summer transfer window, too, with the arrivals of Jordan James from Birmingham City and Glen Kamara from Leeds United.
As well as those arrivals in midfield, Rennes have also strengthened defensively with the purchases of Hans Hateboer and Leo Ostigard from Atalanta and Napoli respectively. Julian Stephan, who replaced the underperformed Bruno Genesio mid-way through last season, remains in charge for the new season.
LYON PREVIEW: POSSIBLE TITLE CHALLENGERS
At the start of last season, Olympique Lyonnais owner John Textor suggested there would be no such thing as a relegation battle for the club but they then entered December sitting rock-bottom in the Ligue 1 table having sacked both Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso with fan unrest becoming very loud.
However, following the appointment of Pierre Sage, Lyon managed to propel themselves all the way up the table and into the top six and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification as well as reaching the Coupe de France final. They collected the most points in the entire division after the arrival of Sage to first-team duties.
RENNES TEAM NEWS: READY AND RARING TO GO RENNES
Rennes have pretty much a fully fit and available squad and will be able to name their strongest eleven on the opening day of the campaign with their only absentee being back-up goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar.
The interest will come as to whether or not Stephan chooses to bring both James and Kamara into the eleven or whether the likes of Azor Matusiwa and Baptiste Santamaria keep themselves in the side.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Mandanda; Wooh, Omari, Theate; Hateboer, Santamaria, Matusiwa, Bourigeaud, Truffert; Gouiri, Kalimuendo
UNAVAILABLE: Alemdar (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LYON TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT LYON
Pierre Sage had find a formula for winning games and collecting points consistently last season and he has an abundance of new signings this summer to try and fit into the eleven.
Alexandre Lacazette won the silver medal with France at the Summer Olympics in Paris earlier this month but he now has striking competition with the signing of Georgia international forward Georges Mikautadze, who enjoyed a brilliant end to last season with Metz before a strong UEFA EURO 2024.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Lopes; Mata, Lovren, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Maitland-Niles, Caqueret, Tolisso; Cherki, Lacazette, Benrahma
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
RENNES VS LYON PREDICTION
We could and probably should have quite an entertaining encounter in Rennes this weekend. There is a balance to this Rennes side that is quite intriguing, especially with the arrival of Hans Hateboer to play in the natural right wing-back role. Lyon will travel with confidence, though, after their magnificent end to last season and the abundance of talent they now have up-front, too. Both teams scoring would seem a good bet for this one.
RENNES VS LYON TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
