Bottom-line, football has been said to tell a story of resilience and redemption. On Sunday, the Stade de la Beaujoire opens its door to one more pivotal Ligue 1 clash; Nantes faces Stade Rennes. The hosts must still contend with that nasty relegation specter, while the visitors are buoyed with confidence after their resounding victory. Surviving now for Antoine Kombouaré's Nantes; establishing that steadiness in the play for Jorge Sampaoli's Rennes. One high-stakes tactical battle, this.
Claim Your Welcome BonusNantes
Nantes are in choppy waters, lying 17th with only two wins from 13 matches. One draw and four losses in the last five matches show just how much they need a turnaround. A fighting 1-1 draw against PSG last weekend gave them hope, but it showed their defensive solidity and discipline. Their attack is toothless, and the 5-3-2 setup is more about limiting damage than going for flair.
Under Antoine Kombouaré, the 5-3-2 system of Nantes is tailored to soak pressure and frustrate opponents. The five-man backline provides compactness, which forces play wide and reduces central incursions. The midfield trio has to tread a tight rope between shielding the defense and sparking counterattacks. Their inability to transition effectively and poor finishing have made them vulnerable to late-game collapses. They are expected to be cagey and defensive in the hope of leaving with at least a point.
Stade Rennes
In contrast, Stade Rennes has contrasting vibes: they lie in 12th place after an inconsistent season filled with flashes of brilliance and inexplicable collapses. Their sensational 5-0 destruction of St. Etienne in their last outing should bring new confidence into the ranks of Sampaoli. In a system set out in 3-4-2-1, one based on high pressing and fluid transitions, Rennes are primed to exploit whatever vulnerabilities Nantes may reveal.
The tactical philosophy of Jorge Sampaoli is all about controlled aggression. In the 3-4-2-1 formation, dynamic attacking platforms open up, especially with overlapping wingbacks to provide width and interchanging positions in the front three. The Rennes midfield duo is of essence to win second balls and launch quick counters. The defense is suspect when set pieces are thrown at them, but their ability to overload wide areas and pull defenses this way and that end is a constant threat.
Head to Head
Rennes have dominated against Nantes, winning 14 and losing two of their last 20 games. In the recent game between these two sides, Rennes have really come on top because of their superior quality of players and flexibility in tactics. But this kind of derby often upsets form books, and Nantes can only hope to live to the tag of underdog.
Expert Betting Tips
The Stade de la Beaujoire will be buzzing, and Nantes' recent draw against PSG proves that they can raise their game.
While Nantes will look to frustrate, the attacking precision of Rennes could break them down.
This game is likely to be decided by how well Rennes can impose their attacking game on a defensively solid Nantes team. Although the hosts can count on set-pieces and counterattacks, Rennes are better placed tactically and currently enjoy superior form compared to their opponents.
- Over 2 Goals @ 1.61 Odds
- Stade Rennes Wins @ 2.41 Odds
- Stade Rennes Wins @ 2.35 Odds
Other predictions
