Rennes vs Montpellier Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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Given the ambitions of the club and the money that they have spent over the last few years, Stade Rennais will be expecting to challenge for the top six, whilst Montpellier Herault are set for what appears a relegation battle.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 15th September, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 Pass / US – beIN Sports
RENNES PREVIEW: RENNES ON THE RUN
During the November international break, Julian Stephan was re-appointed as the new Stade Rennais boss and he did improve things before they finished last season in the middle-of-the-table. Rennes have since rebuilt again this summer with some intriguing signings and they will be pushing for a top six finish and European qualification this season.
Rennes began the 2024/25 season by hosting Olympique Lyonnais and producing an impressive performance to win by three goals to nil. Since then, though, they have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road with a 3-1 loss in Alsace against Strasbourg and then a 2-1 defeat away to Stade de Reims.
MONTPELLIER PREVIEW: MICHEL’S MONTPELLIER
Under the management of Armenian coach Michel Der Zakarian, Montpellier Herault produced a mid-table finish last season as well as being involved in some entertaining games but there is a feeling that the 2011/12 Ligue 1 winners have been circling the drain for some time now and this could be the season they eventually sink.
In their opening three matches of the 2024/25 campaign, Montpellier have collected just one point and sit down towards the bottom end of the table. A fortuitous point against a dominant Strasbourg side on the opening day has been followed by back-to-back defeats against Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain, conceding nine goals in the process.
RENNES TEAM NEWS: NO LEO
One of Rennes’ summer signings, Leo Ostigard from Napoli, will be unavailable for this weekend’s visit of struggling Montpellier due to suspension.
Aside from that, Julien Stephan has no known issues to deal with and will continue looking to perfect what is an attacking 4-4-2 diamond shape.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Mandanda; Hateboer, Faye, Wooh, Truffert; Matusiwa; Blas, Kamara; Gronbaek; Kalimuendo, Gouiri
UNAVAILABLE: Ostigard (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
MONTPELLIER TEAM NEWS: ADDITIONAL HEADING HERE
Much like last season, mitigation for Der Zakarian comes in the form of injuries with Montpellier dealing with a few absentees – both defensively and in attacking positions.
Kiki Kouyate remains unavailable with a knee injury alongside fellow key defender Issiaga Sylla, whilst Joris Chotard and Theo Sainte-Luce are both sidelined for the visitors.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Sacko, Omeragic, Sagnan, Tchato; Fayad, Ferri; Al Tamari, Savanier, Coulibaly; Adams
UNAVAILABLE: Kouyate (Injured), Sylla (Injured), Chotard (Injured), Maamma (Injured), Mincarelli (Injured), Sainte-Luce (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RENNES VS MONTPELLIER PREDICTION
Rennes have an excellent system at the moment that perfectly suits their side with quite a bit of depth to go with it, too. Once adapted and fully gelled then the way in which Stephan intends on playing could mean they become quite entertaining to watch. Montpellier have conceded ten goals in three games and that perhaps flatters them so, especially with their home advantage, Rennes are firm favourites for this one.
RENNES VS MONTPELLIER TIP: RENNES TO WIN
