Stade Reims vs Stade Rennes Prediction: Hard to back either team, but look forward to goals

Stade Reims vs. Stade Rennes at Ligue 1, September 1, 2024. Both teams are looking forward to grabbing momentum after a really not-so-encouraging kickoff of the season. While, from the very start of the league up to the 8th position now, Reims has been struggling in recent matches, Rennes has looked inconsistent at 13th and something that they want to change in the coming matches.

Reims comes into this game following a 2-2 draw away at Marseille, a result that somehow underlined their resilient but unfolding defensive vulnerability. Les Stadistes are winless in four straight, and the very trend of conceding in each game seems to underline a major issue at the back. Indeed, Reims have conceded first in five of their last seven games. They have proved that, can fight back despite going down with commitments, by managing a draw against Olympique de Marseille. However, not winning in the last four is a sign of a team failing to realize potential into points.

Meanwhile, Rennes arrives from an uninspiring result, 3-1 against Strasbourg. Rennes has been spikier: three wins and two defeats in the last five games. Still, the scores of Les Rennais became more prolific: they opened the score in seven out of the last eight encounters despite the last time's unfortunate defeat. Their games of late have averaged more than 2.5 goals, with over in seven of the last nine. That of course hints at a pretty potent attack, but on the downside, a defense prone to lapses. Rennes' ability to score early might find the difference against a Reims side that often concedes first.

The head-to-head balance tips somewhat in Reims' favor by having claimed 10 wins to Rennes' seven wins, and three games drawn. The recent record inclines on the goal front, at over 2.5 goals in the last five contests and both teams finding the net in four of the five. Reims has also continued in conceding in the same five meetings, confirming Rennes' ability to open Reims' defense.

Judging by the recent form of both teams, this game will presumably set another high-scoring spectacle given the historical head-to-head results. The comic defense of Reims and the early striking tendency of Rennes do promise an open and enterprising contest. Rennes might apparently take the front foot as far as the forward line is concerned, but the lack of consistency has also made them vulnerable.

Both sides can find the net here, and over 2.5 goals in the game may be a decent shout. Rennes should be able to take the win through the 90 minutes as a whole; they are in better form in front of goal, although Reims can definitely do enough to force the draw and perhaps nick it.

• Both Teams to Score at 1.65 Odds
• More than 2.5 Goals at 1.79 Odds
• Away Win at 2.30 Odds