St Pryve St Hilaire vs Rennes Predictions

Rennes have completely changed their fortunes under new manager Julien Stéphan, after Sabri Lamouchi’s poor start to the season left them in hot water. The Frenchman has won six of his ten games in charge but they have only won one of their last five games as the momentum is beginning to slow down. They drew 0-0 at the weekend with Montpellier after losing in midweek to bottom club Guingamp. They had been on a good run but these two results have severely dampened the mood at Roazhon Park. Either team really could have won the Montpellier match but with Rennes aiming for more Europa League football, they will need to get themselves into gear as they sit 9th with 17 games to go. 

Stéphan had sorted out their defence in his first few games in charge but this seems to be slipping again, with them conceding five goals in their last five games. Two of these were against Ligue 2 Brest, which is particularly disappointing. They also looked pretty woeful in attack in their last game as they hit 13 shots off target, only managing one that troubled the ‘keeper. Rennes will be eager to ward off any further disappointment with a big win over Saint-Pryvé but do the fourth-division side have enough about them to put up a fight?

Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire currently sit 6th in the Championnat National 2 but are on a pretty good run with four wins in their last six games. They really struggled in the early stages of the season but have come into their own with Fabrice Seidou a major part of this purple patch; the Ivorian has seven league goals and scored the opener in their 3-2 victory against Ligue 2 Troyes earlier in the Coupe de France. Saint-Pryvé beat Andrézieux at the weekend, the team that put giants Marseille out of the cup a few weeks ago, and are playing with great confidence at the moment with just two losses in their last nine games. 

Saint-Pryvé have also built up a great reputation for their home record as they have only lost one game at le Grand Clos since March. Their defence hasn’t been great recently with just one clean sheet in their last five but they have been excellent in attack, with 17 goals in their last nine matches. They go into this game with a lot of confidence after their victory over Troyes and with the almost 2000 strong support at le Grand Clos behind them, they could just be in for an upset.

Saint-Pryvé’s home record will be crucial here and with them winning their last six games at le Grand Clos, Rennes will have quite the game on their hands. The whole area is ready to turn out in their hundreds for the team, with the club saying they have “never needed [them] more.” They are facing a Rennes side who looked rather toothless at the weekend so we think the National 2 side could win this game, although it will be tight. Rennes don’t have a great away record, with just five wins from their 15 matches on the road this season, so a Saint-Pryvé Win or Draw Double Chance bet should do well here. The event of a massive cup fixture will be enough to motivate the players for this game and with Rennes struggling in their last two matches, we’re predicting the home side to win 2-1, alongside the double chance bet.