Rennes vs Troyes Prediction: Rennes win but expect over 3.5 goals

On Sunday afternoon, Troyes, a team in the bottom half of the standings who is fighting for survival in Ligue 1, will play host to European contenders Rennes at Roazhon Park. With four games left, Troyes is 12 points from safety and desperately needs a win, while Rennes is three points outside the top five.

Rennais will try to win their third game in a row at home to enhance their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League. After losing to OGC Nice 2-1 last Saturday at the Allianz Riviera, Stade Rennais was unable to climb into the top five. The team of Bruno Genesio will now head back home after defeating Angers and Stade Reims in consecutive victories. With Olympique Lyon in seventh place and Rennes in sixth place both tied on 56 points, the Conference League qualifying spots are presently three points away for Rennes.

However, Troyes' downward spiral continued last time out when they were defeated 3-1 at home by league heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain. Since their 3-2 victory against Strasbourg in January, Patrick Kisnorbo's team has gone 18 games without a victory, dropping 14 and drawing four. Troyes are presently ranked 19th in the league standings with 22 points from 34 games, 12 points outside of safety with four games remaining.

A win is therefore expected for Rennes. 

With only one draw in their previous 20 league games, Rennes has been incredibly unreliable lately, it wouldn't be wrong to say that. Since a rare draw with Lille in November, Rennes had won nine but lost 10, earning a reputation as one of the most unexpected teams in the French top division.

Nevertheless, as the season comes to a conclusion, Rennes is still in striking distance of the European spots, trailing Lille in fifth place by three points and securing a ticket in the Europa Conference League.

Rennes has established a feeling of continuity at Roazhon Park despite the team's volatility, winning 13 of their 17 home league games this season. The home team defeated already-relegated Angers in their previous home game, primarily because of a brace from the Belgian sensation Doku, so they will be hopeful of defeating another team headed for the bottom this weekend.

Martin Terrier and Xeka are still out with long-term injuries, while teenage left-back Adrien Truffert is anticipated to miss the match on Sunday because of an ankle issue.

Rennes' possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Mandanda

Defenders: Traore, Omari, Theate, Belocian

Midfielders: UgochukwuDoku, Bourigeaud, Majer, Gouiri

Striker: Kalimuendo

Troyes is aware that a loss on Sunday will almost guarantee their relegation to Ligue 2, while Patrick Kisnorbo's team will also be sent down if Auxerre avoids losing to Brest and Nantes defeats Toulouse. Troyes is already preparing for life in the second tier despite the overwhelming odds against them, but they will be eager to conclude the campaign on a high note after suffering through a terrible run of results.

Troyes enters the match on Sunday with a 17-match losing streak, having played to four draws and 13 losses since their last win, and just one triumph in their previous 26 league games.

It is simple to see why Troyes is in this situation after last weekend's 3-1 setback to Paris Saint-Germain and the fact that Troyes enters Roazhon Park with a record of five straight defeats. Troyes will need a miracle to avoid the bottom after losing seven of their past eight away games and snapping a record of seven straight road losses with a 2-2 draw at Nantes last month.

Troyes will have to get by without Abdu Conte and Renaud Ripart on Sunday because both players have missed the last five games due to injuries. Mama Balde, who has contributed to five goals and four assists for ESTAC this year, will continue to help striker Ike in the attack. Adil Rami, a legendary center-back, will line up behind Tanguy Zoukrou and Erik Palmer-Brown for the visitors, with Lucien Agoume and Xavier Chavalerin likely to hold down the middle.

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Gallon

Defenders: Zoukrou, Rami, Palmer-Brown

Midfielders: Bruus, Agoume, Chavalerin, Larouci

Strikers: Odobert, Balde; Ike

Due to the threat of relegation, Troyes will give Rennes their all on Sunday, but while they strive for victory, the visitors will leave themselves weak at the back. As a result, we anticipate Rennes to take advantage of a Troyes team that is in dire need of a win after suffering their eighth away loss in nine games.

Troyes will want to end their season on a good note with just three games remaining as they are aware that relegation is all but guaranteed. 

With their eyes set on European football and considering their home form, Rennais will win easily. The score may likely be 3-1 or 4-0.