Nantes vs Rennes Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Nantes battled against the drop throughout last season and despite a surprise 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, that is expected to be the same again this time around as they face a potentially very exciting Stade Rennais side with new management.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 8th December, 2024: UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports
Nantes Preview: Frustrated Nantes
Last season, Nantes sacked both Pierre Aristouy and Jocelyn Gourvennac as they languished down at the bottom end of the table but they managed to survive with former manager Antoine Kombouare coming back to finish outside of the bottom three. Kombouare remains in charge and, after a bright start to the campaign, they are battling again.
They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom two and the automatic relegation places in Ligue 1 with supporters protesting by invading the pitch a couple of weeks ago. Matthis Abline’s 38th minute equaliser at Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain last weekend did earn them a surprise yet undeserved point.
Rennes Preview: Jorge Sampaoli revolution at Rennes
During the November international break, Stade Rennais took the decision to sack Julian Stephan in his second stint of underperformance in charge of the club. He was replaced by former Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli with the combustible and often aggressive Argentine sparking something of a revolution at Rennes.
It began badly with a 1-0 loss to Lille a couple of weeks ago but the visitors now come into this one on the back of a 5-0 demolition of struggling Saint-Etienne in their most recent outing at Roazhon Park last weekend thanks to a hat-trick from Armand Kalimuendo as well as goals from Ludovic Blas and Amine Gouiri.
Nantes Team News: Still no Kadewere
Antoine Kombouare has fallen out with a few players this season, such as Jean-Charles Castelletto and Johann Lepenant, but both are available at the moment.
The hosts are still dealing with an injury concern as Zimbabwe international attacker Tino Kadewere remains unavailable due to a muscle injury this weekend.
Predicted XI (5-3-2): Carlgren; Centonze, Castelletto, Zeze, Pallois, Cozza; Lepenant, Pedro Chirivella, Douglas Augusto; Abline, Simon
Unavailable: Kadewere (Injured)
Questionable:
Rennes Team News: No Seidu
As Chile boss, Jorge Sampaoli was very entertaining and attacking before a far more rigid and defensive style of football at Sevilla but things seem set to be more fun at Rennes.
They have a very strong side but are now without Ghana international defender Alidu Seidu due to an ACL injury he picked up in the opening game of the Jorge Sampaoli era.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mandanda; Hateboer, Ostigard, Faye; Assignon, James, Matusiwa, Nagida; Blas, Gouiri; Kalimuendo
Unavailable: Seidu (Injured)
Questionable:
Nantes vs Rennes Prediction
Nantes pulled off an excellent point away at PSG last week but the pressure is still very much on at Stade de la Beaujoire. That draw with the Parisiens means they are now winless in their last ten matches in Ligue 1. They now face a Rennes side that will believe they have moved themselves into a more aggressive style of football with Jorge Sampaoli at the helm and the visitors are the firm favourites for this one.
Nantes vs Rennes Tip: Rennes to win
