The 12th round of the French Ligue 1 scheduled for this weekend brings us more excitement, and the opening game between Rennes and Bordeaux is set for Friday, November 3rd, 2017, at Roazhon Park. We expect to see an entertaining match and a great battle between two respectable sides, so in this preview, we’ll take a closer look at this encounter, in order to give you some fresh tips and betting predictions. Don’t waste your time and follow us here on GetMoreSports.
RENNES vs. BORDEAUX
3-Way: 1: Rennes +240; X: +235 Draw; 2: Bordeaux +156 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Rennes +138; Bordeaux -133
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -137
RENNES
The Red and Blacks won the second match in a row last weekend at Montpellier, 1:0, and now they are slowly escaping from the danger zone. Rennes is currently at the 13th spot of the French Ligue 1 table with 12 points, a 13:15 goal difference and a form of WWLLD. Two weeks ago they grabbed their first home victory of the season, where they have a 1-1-3 record and a 4:6 goal difference, while on the road they are the seventh-best team in the league with a 2-2-2 record and a 9:9 goal difference. Obviously, they are a better team away from home, where they have more chances to launch deadly counter-attacks. At home, they have some problems to find the net with the ball more on their feet.
In the previous round, Rennes took all three points from Montpellier, but they were pretty lucky, especially in the first half when the home team had some great opportunities to get the lead. They were also lucky in the 59th minute when the 22-year old forward Brandon Llamas scored the winning goal. His shot took a reflection of Hilton’s leg and finished behind the keeper. Llamas had another opportunity in the second half to get the brace, but this time his shot from just outside of the six-yard box was stopped by Benjamin Lecomte. Montpellier had a huge chance late in the game to level the score, and it was another lucky moment for visitors when the substitute Casimir Ninga missed the ball all alone in front of the Rennes’ goalkeeper.
Rennes’ players have created 100 scoring chances in the first 11 rounds of the French Ligue 1, scoring 13 goals with just 39% of shot accuracy, and 79% of average pass accuracy. The 23-year old midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud, who joined the club this summer from RC Lens, is a team’s key player already with four goals, two assists and 23 key passes in 11 appearances. The 23-year old striker Firmin Mubele is having a good season so far, adding three goals and two assists to his name in ten apps.
Defensively, the team is doing a good job with some young players at the back – the 20-year old Joris Gnagnon and a 22-year old Ramy Bensebaini are team’s centre-back duo, so some mistakes can go on their youth. With 39 defensive actions per game, Rennes’ players have won 48% of aerial duels and just 33% of tackles. If they improve their defensive work, we can see them climbing the table very soon.
The manager Christian Gourcuff doesn’t have serious injury worries, as the 19-year old striker Ismaila Sarr is doubtful for the next game with a torn tendon. All other players are healthy and ready to go.
BORDEAUX
After a great start of the season when they’ve earned 15 points out of the first seven rounds, Bordeaux’s form is descending as they’ve managed to get just one point in the last four rounds of the French Ligue 1. Since they’ve lost 6:2 to Paris SG in the eighth round, The Girondins earned just one point in a 1:1 draw with Nantes at home, while they lost two games in a row against Amiens on the road, 1:0, and Monaco at home, 2:0. With 16 points and a 16:17 goal difference, Bordeaux is currently in the eighth spot of the French Ligue 1 table, five points behind Marseille who’s at the fourth spot.
The Girondins created 125 scoring chances in the first 11 games, and they are among the most dangerous teams in the league (only Paris SG created more scoring opportunities). The team recorded 84% of an average pass accuracy, which is a quite good effort, while their shot accuracy isn’t so good with just 42% of shots went on target. The 20-year old Brazilian winger Malcom is a team’s leading star with five goals and four dishes in 11 appearances. He’s a true creative force with 25 key passes on his account. The 28-year old midfielder Younousse Sankhare bagged four goals in 11 apps, adding an assist to his name, while forwards Alexandre Mendy and Francois Kamano both scored two times so far.
Defensively, there are certain problems as they’ve conceded 17 goals, taking just 30 defensive actions per game. They’ve won 46% of aerial duels, but only 35% of tackles, so they have to be more aggressive if they want to improve at the defensive end. The Girondins made just two defensive errors in 11 games, and one of these two led to a goal. The 20-year old centre-back Vukasin Jovanovic doesn’t have enough games on this level, so there’s a lot of pressure on Jeremy Toulalan’s shoulders, as the 34-year old Frenchman is a key player in a Bordeaux’s defensive line.
The manager Jocelyn Gourvennec can field his best eleven on Friday night, as he doesn’t have any injury worries. The only doubtful player is the 23-year old striker Gaetan Laborde, who’s suffering from a foot injury, but he played just 108 minutes in five games so far.
RENNES vs. BORDEAUX – Match Prediction
While Rennes’ form is improving in the last couple of weeks, The Girondins’ form is descending. Rennes kept the clean sheet in the previous two rounds, while Bordeaux couldn’t find the net for two games in a row. Last year both matches between these two sides ended in a 1:1 draw, and I expect to see more of the same this year. Both teams have fragile defenses, and we could see some goals on both ends on a Friday night. As we already noticed, The Girondins are so dangerous in the final third, and after two games without scoring, I expect them to find the net against Rennes.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+100)
