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 previous round, the team suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat away to Lille. Eirik Horneland's side has only one win in their last eight league matches (2 draws, 5 losses), and even in their sole victory during this period, Saint-Etienne failed to keep a clean sheet. In this Ligue 1 campaign, the club has conceded 43 goals, with only Montpellier having a worse record (46). With such defensive issues, the team is battling for survival.
Defender Dylan Batubinsika is suspended. Midfielder Mathys Amugu has transferred to Chelsea.
- Both teams have scored in Saint-Etienne's last 6 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 has 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 previous round, his team defeated Strasbourg 1-0 at home, ending a four-match losing streak in the league. However, it's worth noting that Rennes found the net in all their losses during this period. The three points lifted the team to 15th place, but they are only two points clear of the relegation playoff zone.
Defender Leo Estigor has transferred to Hoffenheim. Midfielder Ismael Kone joined on loan from Marseille, and a long-term contract has been 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 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 to find the net regularly. In their last six league matches, the team has scored nearly half of their goals for the season. In the previous round, even when playing with one less player for most of the second half, the club managed an xG of 2.1. Notably, they have scored in 6 of their last 8 home matches in Ligue 1, and these goals have always earned them points (5 wins, 1 draw).
Rennes is the worst away team in the tournament. The club has yet to secure an away victory and enters this match with a five-game losing streak on the road. They have conceded in 11 consecutive away Ligue 1 matches, with at least two goals conceded in 8 of these games.
My prediction: Saint-Etienne to score and not lose
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
