Ajaccio vs Rennes Prediction: Ajaccio win with over 2.5 goals

When Rennes takes on already-relegated Ajaccio at the Stade Francois Coty on Sunday in afternoon, their pursuit of playing in Europe will restart. Prior to this weekend's action, the visitors are one point off of the top five, while the hosts are on their way to an immediate return to Ligue 2.

Rennes is sixth in Ligue 1 with 59 points after 35 games, just one point behind Lille with three games left. The Roazhon Park team has participated in European events for the last five years. They are looking for a sixth consecutive trip but need Lille, who have lost their past two games, to falter. Since a spectacular victory over PSG at Parc des Princes, the away team has dropped points in three consecutive away league games.

Ajaccio's relegation was officially announced last weekend following their humiliating 5-0 loss to PSG. The Bears have little chance of surviving with three games remaining, only 23 points secured, and 11 points off safety. Ajaccio, who was only promoted to Ligue 1 last season, is going back to the second level right away since they were never able to adapt to life there and have only had six victories this season.

Rennes has enough firepower o win this game to increases their chances of European football next season. 

Ajaccio (LLDLDL)

Last Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain humiliated the home side by scoring 5 goals to confirm Ajaccio's impending relegation. A brace from Kylian Mbappe and a red card for Thomas Mangani were key factors in the champions-elect's convincing victory.

Naturally, it would have been challenging for Ajaccio to avoid the relegation fight after winning promotion last year, but the home side is leaving with a whimper after losing all 10 of their prior games.

Ajaccio has not only scored only once in each of their last four games, but they have also failed to score in 14 of their previous 19 league games, going 19 games without scoring, and have lost 15 games as a result.

Ajaccio is returning to Ligue 2 for obvious reasons given that they have scored a pitiful 22 goals in 35 Ligue 1 games this season, putting them by far the lowest goal scorers in the division.

Ajaccio's comeback effort is disappointingly coming to an end. They have only won once in their past 14 games, collecting only five points out of a possible 42 since a narrow 2-1 triumph over bottom-dwelling Angers back in February.

Thomas Mangani will be suspended for the match on Sunday after receiving a red card in the last match. Youcef Belaili, Jean Botue, Yanis Cimignani, Oumar Gonzalez, and Ruan Levine are among the other Bears players out with injuries, and they are all anticipated to miss the Rennes match.

Possible starting eleven for Ajaccio is Sollacaro; Youssouf; Avinel; Vidal; Ismael; Marchetti; Coutadeur; Nouri; Barreto; El Idrissy; and Spadanuda.

Rennes (LWLWLW)

As a result of last weekend's 4-0 demolition of second-to-last Troyes, who are one point below Ajaccio in the rankings, Rennes still have a lot to play for in the last three games of the season. Rennes will be anxious to get all three points this weekend to maintain the pressure on the teams above. In fact, if they win their remaining games and other results go their way, Rennes might finish as high as fourth. The away side will be eager to do so.

However, there is no getting around the reality that Rennes has been outrageously erratic lately, with only one draw in 21 league games since November, 10 victories, and 10 defeats. Rennes has lost four of their past eight games while only scoring twice in those defeats, but winning four of those games and defeating PSG. In their last eight games, they have scored 13 goals.

Predicting the result of games involving Rennes has recently been a bit of a lottery due to the team's recent volatility, but a matchup with lowly Ajaccio gives the away side the best chance to record back-to-back victories.

Xeka, Martin Terrier, Adrien Truffert, and Djed Spence are all still in the treatment room, so Rennes is without its own injury issues. The team's leading scorer with 13 goals and seven assists, Gouiri, will try to add to his total after scoring a brace in the rout of Troyes last weekend. 

Mandana, Traore, Omari, Theate, Belocian, Santamaria, Doku, Bourigeaud, Majer, Gouiri, and Toko Ekambi might be in Rennes' starting lineup.

Expert Betting Tips

This season, Ajaccio has suffered the most losses in a single season in Ligue 1 with 24 defeats. Only Reims has a better record in Ligue 1 than Rennes' eight clean sheets in 2023. Before the matchday started, Rennes had scored four goals in their previous two Ligue 1 games against opponents in the bottom three. These two contests occurred in rounds 33 and 35 against Troyes and Angers.

Ajaccio's only real stake in the game is pride because relegation has already been determined. However, Rennes is struggling to hold onto its dreams of competing in Europe. Even though their recent road performance has been inconsistent, they could win all three games.

Compared to Rennes, who are vying for a spot in the Europa League, struggling Ajaccio have failed to score in eight of their past ten games. The visitors are therefore predicted to win. Possible scoreline could be 1-3 or 0-3.