Prediction: Brest vs Rennes

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Knowing that they still have an outside chance of clinching a top-four finish, Rennes will travel to Brest on Saturday night for what could be an action-packed affair.

Brest

Starting with the hosts, while Brest might have eventually been disappointed after failing to secure a top-half finish this season, Eric Roy’s men are signing off their Ligue 1 campaign with a remarkable flurry. Last seen putting in a famous display away at Marseille as they grabbed a late 2-1 victory, the Pirates should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Only skyrocketing away from any kind of relegation scrap since returning from March’s international break, Brest will be looking to make one final statement on Saturday night. Now winning each of their last three straight Ligue 1 appearances and receiving a string of praise over the past couple of months, Roy’s side have also remarkably lost just one of their last 10 outings. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to a 2-1 loss against PSG on March 11th, Brest have also continued to shine at the Stade Francis-Le Ble this season.

Team News

Brest have confirmed that neither Noah Fadiga and former Chelsea striker Loic Remy will once again miss out on Saturday night. Coming off the bench and bagging the winner away at Marseille last weekend, 24-year-old Mahdi Camara could be handed a full recall here.

Although Benin international Steve Mounie might have notched just a single goal in his last eight domestic appearances, the 28-year-old should lead Roy’s attack this weekend.

Rennes

As for the visitors, opening Saturday’s finale at the Stade Francis-Le Ble sat just one-point adrift of breaking into the top-four, Rennes will be desperate to make one final statement here. Although Bruno Genesio’s men might have suffered a 2-1 loss away at Nice on May 6th, Les Rennais have come roaring back in some style. Last seen putting in another stellar display as they secured a heavyweight 2-0 win against Monaco, the one-time Lyon boss has seen his side win each of their last three Ligue 1 appearances by an aggregate score of 11-0. With their free-scoring purple patch highlighted by a 5-0 romp away at AC Ajaccio on May 21st, Rennes should also be excited by their most recent meeting against Saturday’s hosts. Claiming an action-packed 3-1 victory when they welcomed Brest to Roazhon Park for their reverse Ligue 1 showdown on August 31st, Genesio will be calling on a repeat display this weekend.

Team News

Still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Rennes will be without the likes of Martin Terrier, Adrien Truffert, Christopher Wooh and Tottenham-loanee Djed Spence on Saturday night. Wales international Joe Rodon should have to settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.

Once again finding the net against Monaco last week and now bagging five Ligue 1 strikes in as many appearances, 23-year-old Amine Gouiri will have a key role to play here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Brest and Rennes met for their reverse Ligue 1 meeting on August 31st, Les Rennais picked up a 3-1 win at Roazhon Park.
• Likewise, Rennes have won each of their last three Ligue 1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-0.
• However, including a 2-1 win away at Marseille last weekend, Brest have lost just one of their previous 10 domestic appearances.
• Saturday’s hosts have also won each of their last five Ligue 1 matchups on home soil – a run that has seen them bag nine goals.
• Four of the last five Ligue 1 meetings between Brest and Rennes have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Rennes might be enjoying what has become a stellar end to the 2022/23 campaign, Les Rennais should face a real challenge when they arrive at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Saturday night. Although Genesio’s side might still have the chance to leapfrog Lille and secure another top-four finish, Brest have shown that they’re a real test for any of France’s elite. Last seen snatching a famous 2-1 win away at Marseille, the Pirates have lost just one of their previous 10 domestic matchups and they have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. It should be noted, with four of the last five Ligue 1 meetings between Saturday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet