The Matchday 21 clash in Ligue 1 between Saint-Etienne and Rennes will take place on February 8 at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. Saint-Etienne vs. Rennes: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Saint-Etienne
In the last round, the team suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat away to Lille. Eirik Horneland's side has managed just one win in their last eight league matches (2 draws, 5 losses), and even in their sole victory during this stretch, Saint-Etienne failed to keep a clean sheet. The team has conceded 43 goals in this Ligue 1 campaign, with only Montpellier having a worse record (46). With such defensive issues, the team is fighting for survival.
Defender Dylan Batubinsika is suspended.
- Both teams have scored in Saint-Etienne's last six league matches.
- At home in this tournament, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 8 games (5 wins, 1 draw).
- In 7 of their last 8 matches in this tournament, the team conceded first.
Predicted lineup for Saint-Etienne (4-3-3)
Gauthier Larsonneur – Leo Petro, Mickael Nade, Dylan Batubinsika, Dennis Appiah – Louis Mouton, Pierre-Emmanuel Ekwah, Benjamin Bouchouari – Zuriko Davitashvili, Lucas Stassin, Irvin Cardona.
Rennes
Habib Beye began his tenure as head coach with a victory. In the last round, his side defeated Strasbourg 1-0 at home, ending a four-match losing streak in the league. However, it's worth noting that Rennes managed to score in all their losses during this period. The three points helped the team rise to 15th place, but they are only two points clear of the relegation play-off zone.
Defender Leo Estigor has moved to Hoffenheim. Midfielder Ismael Kone joined on loan from Marseille, and a long-term contract was signed with defender Anthony Rouault. Defender Hans Hateboer will miss the match due to suspension.
- At least three goals have been scored in 4 of Rennes' last 5 Ligue 1 matches.
- The club has not won away in this tournament for 10 matches (1 draw, 9 losses).
- The team has defeated their upcoming opponent in 6 of their last 7 head-to-head meetings in this tournament (1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Rennes (3-4-3)
Brice Samba – Christopher Wooh, Lilian Brassier, Hans Hateboer – Adrien Truffert, Jaouen Hadjam, Jordan James, Lorenz Assignon – Kyogo Furuhashi, Ludovic Blas, Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Referee
Mathieu Vernice (France)
Matches – 8 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 25%.
Saint-Etienne vs. Rennes: Match Prediction
Eirik Horneland's side has struggled in attack but recently Saint-Etienne has started scoring regularly. In their last six league matches, the team has scored nearly half of their goals. Even in the last round, despite playing with ten men for most of the second half, the club managed an xG of 2.1. Notably, at home, the team has scored in 6 of their last 8 Ligue 1 matches. Importantly, the goals in this period have always earned Saint-Etienne points (5 wins, 1 draw).
Rennes is the worst away team in the tournament. The club has yet to secure a victory and enters the upcoming match with a run of five away defeats. The team has conceded in 11 consecutive away matches in Ligue 1, with at least two goals conceded in 8 of those games.
My prediction: Saint-Etienne will score and not lose
