Bitesize Prediction: Rennes vs Clermont – 18/02/24

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Rennes win

Odds: 6/11 @ Pribet

Excited to turn their attention back to Ligue 1 duties on Sunday afternoon, Rennes will welcome Clermont to Roazhon Park this weekend.

Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare Europa League performance in midweek as they eventually slumped to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Italian giants AC Milan, Rennes will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, while Julien Stephan’s men might be seeking a real miracle in their bid to extend on their European adventure, the Brittany-based outfit are enjoying a major domestic flurry. Last seen in Ligue 1 action claiming a gritty 1-0 victory away at Le Havre, the Rennais have won all of their previous eight straight domestic showdowns across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to a 0-0 stalemate against Toulouse on December 17th. Skyrocketing their way up the table and with their sights set on clinching another top-six finish this season, the former Strasbourg boss will also be excited by his side’s extended success on home soil. Including a 2-1 win against Montpellier earlier in the month, Rennes have won all of their last six appearances at Roazhon Park.

As for the visitors, while Clermont might have sprung a real Ligue 1 upset last season as they cinched a top-half finish, the Lancers are enduring a top-flight nightmare this time around. Rightfully coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on either side of France’s festive break, Pascal Gastien’s men are tipped as a landslide relegation contender in 2024. Opening Sunday’s trip to Roazhon Park sat rock-bottom of the table and three points adrift of safety, Sunday’s guests are without a win from any of their previous nine straight Ligue 1 appearances – a run that stems all the way back to November 12th. Likewise, crashing out of the Coupe de France last month following a 3-1 drumming at home against Strasbourg, Clermont should face another stern examination here. Hit with another 3-1 loss when they met Rennes for their reverse top-flight battle on December 20th, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Bet: Rennes 6/11 to beat Clermont in Sunday’s Ligue 1 matchup @ Pribet