Rennes vs Lorient Prediction & Betting Tips (3 March)

The winter break has transformed this Rennes team. Apathetic during the first part of the season under the orders of Bruno Genesio, it benefited from the arrival of Julien Stéphan to experience a new dynamic and begin a crazy rise in the ranking which could allow it to return to Europe next season. In great form, the Rouge et Noir had won 6 victories in a row in Ligue 1, the last of which were against Le Havre 0-1 and Clermont 3-1 before seeing their good series come to an end last Sunday, at the Parc des Princes, in complete end of the match against PSG, with a very generous penalty 1-1. In the ranking, the Bretillians are now in 7th position with 3 points behind the top 5 and 6 on the podium. Last week, Rennais were also able to take their revenge for honor against AC Milan in the Europa League 3-2 after losing the first leg 3-0. And on Thursday, they will aim to qualify for the semi-final of the Coupe de France against Puy.

Like what their neighbor experienced, FC Lorient also found some color after the winter break. Completely missing the point during the first half of the season, he thought he was heading straight for relegation to Ligue 2 but his good winter transfer window allowed him to regain hope. The Merlus had indeed been able to achieve 3 victories in a row in recent weeks against Metz 1-2, Reims 2-0 and Strasbourg 1-3 before losing in another very important derby against Nantes last week 0-1 . Following this defeat, the Morbihanais plunged back into the red zone, in 16th position, tied on points with the first non-relegation team.

The Swiss midfielder Rieder and the excellent starting midfielder Le Fée will be the only elements of this Rennes team to be missing this Sunday with the young Nagida. Otherwise, Julien Stéphan will therefore be able to rely on a complete group where we will find in the cages a Steve Mandanda back at a very high level and replacing in the Cup. After his new very good match on Thursday (double, 1 assist), the excellent Bourigeaud (6 goals, 2 assists) should be renewed just like the dynamite Doué (3 goals, 3 assists). Offensively, the Rennes have no shortage of assets with Martin Terrier (5 goals in 2024), center forward Kalimuendo (5 goals) and the Algerian Gouiri who scored a superb goal at the Parc last week, his 4th in L1 this season.

On the Lorient side, midfielder Boisgard, world champion full-back Benjamin Mendy, and potentially starting defender Igor Silva will not be able to make the short trip to Roazhon Park, like starting central defender Talbi. On the other hand, Régis Le Bris should renew his confidence in his few winter recruits like the piston Katseris, the midfielder Louza or the striker Bamba (Wolfsberger) who has scored 5 goals since his arrival. However, it lacked effectiveness last week against Nantes.