Stade Brest vs Stade Rennes Prediction: Both teams to find the back of the net

This year's Ligue 1 clash on 19th October 2024 between Stade Brestois and Stade Rennais is expected to be an exciting match, pitting two teams with mid-table status against each other. Both teams are desperate for a good outcome that might help them build momentum. Brest will want to build on their recent solid performances, whereas Rennes are seeking to break a poor run of form. Brest sit in 11th place, a spot ahead of Rennes; however, the former's recent form has been a whole lot better.

Stade Brestois come into this fixture in relatively decent form, winning 4 of their last 5 games. They have been consistently conceding goals, though, but scoring first in most of their games is a positive indication. They are coming off a 2-0 win against Havre, which was marred by the red card of Massadio Haidara and subsequently forced to play with 10 men for most of the match. Usually, Brest sets up in a 4-2-3-1 very defensively sound yet with the capability to be flexible going forward. They will have wide players contributing on both sides of the ball. Physicality will very much be part of their game, witnessed by the number of fouls and cards they have picked up this season, as well as how eager they are to engage in a duel.

The setup remains largely the same, as Stade Brestois persists with their 4-2-3-1 system, which sees them compact at the back while releasing the midfielders to support the lone striker up front. Expect them to be strong on the counterattacks, especially against a Rennes side that does leave much space behind their wing-backs. First goal scored in 6 of their last 7 games, Brest should be looking to take matters into their own hands early in the game, trying to win physical battles and press high against Rennes.

Meanwhile, Stade Rennais are slumping, having lost 3 of their last 5 matches, including that latest 2-1 defeat to Monaco. This dip in form has somewhat coincided with some defensive fragility, having conceded in each of their last 3 games. Rennes has been dominant in recent head-to-head encounters against Brest, though, and is expected to go with an attacking 3-4-3 formation, like the hosts, that looks to dominate possession and use their wide midfielders for overloads. In their current form, though, there tends to be a distinct lack of a cutting edge in attack-not able to create big chances or anything serious offensively-despite dominating possession.

Stade Rennais will not deviate from their attacking 3-4-3 formation, whose wide midfielders are very important in transitioning between attack and defense. The problem for Rennes, though, has been their inability to convert possession into high-quality chances. Rennes are expected to press high, looking to pin Brest deep in their own half, but they will have to be careful against the counter-attacking play of Brest. The backline of Rennes has leaked three in the last three outings, and they are going to be vulnerable to transitions.

Traditionally, Rennes have dominated this fixture, with 12 wins coming against Brest's 3, and with 5 draws. Rennes normally start well against Brest, taking an early lead in 7 of the last 8 meetings and leading into half-time in 4 of the last 5. Yet, their last meeting in April 2024 was an absolute goal-fest, as Brest came from behind to win 5-4 away from home. That result will, more or less, give Brest a psychological advantage coming into this match, since they have shown they can expose the lapses in Rennes' defense.

Recent form makes Brest slight favorites with Rennes struggling at both ends of the pitch. Brest have found ways time and time again to get ahead early, which will be critical in this match as confidence has proven fragile for Rennes after going behind. Rennes are due a strong performance, with their positive head-to-head record also factoring in. Their possession-based approach could give Brest some issues, but they'll need to be sharper in converting those chances.

That said, given the high foul rate coming from Brest, along with a tendency to collect cards, this could be a factor, especially with Rennes trying to exploit such situations from dead-ball set-piece situations. Defensively, Rennes need to firm things up, particularly when facing counter-attacks, while Brest need to try and avoid falling into disciplinary trouble again - as was the case with the red card for Haidara last time out.

• GG (yes) @ 1.81 Odds
• GG + Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.22 Odds
• Draw FT @ 3.10 Odds