The Matchday 3 clash in Ligue 1 between Angers and Rennes will take place on August 31 at the Stade Raymond Kopa. Angers vs. Rennes: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Angers
After a victory in their opening match of the championship against Paris (1-0), Angers suffered a defeat to another capital team, PSG, in the next match with a mirrored scoreline. Thus, the club extended their uncompromising streak in Ligue 1 to 13 matches (4 wins, 9 losses). Notably, the club has performed better at home in the French championship recently, winning 3 of their last 4 matches with only one loss. It is also important to add that the team was defeated "to nil" twice by Rennes in last season's Ligue 1 (0-2, 0-3).
- One opponent failed to score in 5 of Angers' last 6 matches in the French championship.
- No more than 2 goals were scored in 5 of the club's last 6 games in this tournament.
- The team has not drawn at home for 8 matches (3 wins, 5 "to nil" losses).
Predicted lineup for Angers (3-5-2)
Herve Koffi – Carlen Arcus, Jordan Lefort, Ousmane Camara – Lilian Rao-Lisoa, Yassine Belkhdim, Mariusz Korkul, Haris Belkebla, Jacques Ekomi – Esteban Lepole, Sidiki Cherif.
The forward Esteban Lepole has transferred to Rennes and will play for the opponent in the upcoming match.
Rennes
The Bretons suffered a heavy defeat in the derby to Lorient in the last round with a score of 0-4. Rennes' uncompromising series in the French championship significantly surpasses even Angers' similar streak in this tournament, reaching a mark of 28 matches (12 wins, 16 losses). It should be noted that the team lost 4 of their last 6 matches in Ligue 1, conceding exactly 4 goals in 3 of them. Additionally, Rennes has been defeated in their last 4 away matches in the championship, conceding at least 2 goals in each encounter.
- Not less than 3 goals have been scored in 6 of the Bretons' last 8 matches in Ligue 1.
- The team's uncompromising away streak in the championship stands at 14 games (4 wins, 10 losses).
- Rennes has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 5 away matches in the elite French league.
Predicted lineup for Rennes (3-5-2)
Brice Samba – Anthony Rouault, Jeremy Jacquet, Christopher Wooh – Quentin Merlin, Seko Fofana, Valentin Rongier, Fabian Rieder, Mahdi Camara – Mohamed Meite, Ludovic Blas.
Defender Christopher Wooh and midfielder Mahdi Camara will not play due to suspension, with the latter facing a two-match ban.
Referee
Marc Bollinger (France)
Matches – 19 (Ligue 1, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 60;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 32%.
Match Prediction: Angers vs. Rennes
The Breton club continues its inconsistent performances, which Rennes was known for in the last French championship as well. After defeating a strong opponent in the first round – Marseille (1-0), they were thrashed by Lorient away. However, it is important to note that in that match, the club was reduced to nine men as early as the 11th minute following the dismissals of Christopher Wooh and Mahdi Camara. I am confident that after such a fiasco, Rennes, who have shown they can beat even strong opponents, will regroup. Yes, playing away is not the Bretons' strong suit, but they have defeated Angers away in the last two head-to-head encounters in the championship. Moreover, Rennes has been victorious against Angers for five consecutive head-to-head matches in the championship.
Angers themselves are not strong enough to claim victory against a much higher-caliber opponent like the Bretons. After an undeserved victory at the start of the championship against Paris, Angers barely escaped in the last round against PSG, who squandered numerous scoring opportunities. I believe that Rennes' powerful attack will pose no less of a threat to the hosts than Paris did in the last match. The additional motivation after the previous round's fiasco will drive the visitors forward. The Bretons have scored away in 9 of their last 11 matches in Ligue 1, scoring at least twice in 7 of them.
They have also scored at least twice against Angers in their last 5 head-to-head matches in the championship. This time, I expect the visitors to score at least 2 goals, my prediction – Rennes individual total over 1.5
