Rennes-Toulouse is a match valid for the 29th day of Ligue 1 and is played on Saturday at 9 pm: statistics, likely lineups, live TV and predictions.
Rennes and Toulouse, when there are just six rounds left to the end of the games, are separated by 6 points in the standings. Only one, however, can still aspire to a place in the next continental competitions (likely Europe or the Conference League).
This is Julien Stephan’s team, which is trying, amid the usual ups and downs, to keep up with its direct competitors. At the moment Rennes is only ninth, but between fifth to tenth the gap is minimal: six of them are packed within five lengths. However, the Rossoneri are coming off two ugly defeats against Strasbourg and Monaco – in both cases Rennes failed to find the way of the goal – that have probably reduced to the twilight zone any hopes of getting back into the race for fourth place, the one that as of this year puts up a pass for the Champions League preliminaries. The defeats in a row become three if we also consider the French Cup semifinal knockout with PSG (1-0), another match in which Stephan’s men did not score.
Rennes’ moment, in short, is not the most positive. And without qualifying for the cups this would be branded as a failed season. Or at any rate disappointing.
Carles Martinez’s Toulouse, on the other hand, is on the upswing, having moved away from dangerous areas in the last month and now +7 on the third-last, Lorient. The biancoviola since mid-February have lost only 2 games out of 8 and have also kept their goal unbeaten for an impressive 180 minutes. The Spanish coach could confirm the eleven that drew 0-0 with Strasbourg a week ago but will be missing captain Sierro, disqualified.
The prediction
Rennes has won four of its last five games played at Roazhon Park and against Toulouse should be able to turn things around. Total goals again this time could be less than 4 (first leg ended 0-0).
Rennes-Toulouse likely lineups
RENNES (4-4-2): Mandanda; Seidu, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Matusiwa, D. Doué; Kalimuendo, Gouiri.
TOULOUSE (3-4-3): Restes; Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra; Mawissa Elebi, Casseres, Spierings, Suazo; Dönnum, Dallinga, Gboho.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
