Montpellier vs Rennes Prediction & Tips
After suffering two consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, the prevailing emotion in the Montpellier dressing room would have been one of relief after picking up a point away to Strasbourg last week (2-2). However, coach Michel Der Zakarian was left with a bitter taste as his side not only squandered a 2-0 lead going into halftime, but were also denied a stoppage-time winner by a controversial VAR call.
Der Zakarian called that decision an “incomprehensible and unfair” one after the game, but he can’t dwell much longer as he looks to come up with a game plan to help Montpellier, who are already four points worse off than they were last season at this same stage, so he will want to avoid failing to win in four Ligue 1 games in a row for the first time since going seven without success in November last year. He will be hoping that wins in two of the last three home meetings against Rennes (P1), including one in April with just ten men from the 53rd minute, can inspire a boost of confidence.
Speaking of improvements, Rennes got one of their own in European action in midweek when a 3-0 win over Maccabi Haifa ended a dull run of four consecutive draws in Ligue 1. They could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Lille last weekend, but perhaps that was no great surprise given that no home team won in the entire division on matchday five of Ligue 1.
Coach Bruno Génésio’s task will be to build on the midweek success to help start turning more of these draws into wins, and here he will try to do so against familiar opposition. As a coach, Génésio has only faced PSG (15) more often than Montpellier (14), and in his career, he has never beaten a team more often than “La Paillade” (G9, E3, P2).
Players to watch: Midfielder Téji Savanier was the man sent off the last time these two teams met, but this time he will hope to have a more positive impact after an assist in Montpellier’s last performance and a Flashscore rating of 7.0 or better in each appearance this season. Rennes will be hoping Ludovic Blas can get off to another fast start, given that both of his goals in his last four official appearances came inside the first 15 minutes.
Weekend stat: Montpellier’s only clean sheet in Ligue 1 in their last seven home games came against Rennes (G2, E2, P3).
Montpellier – Rennes FREE TIPS
Montpellier- Win @ 2.55
