Lorient-Rennes is a match of the ninth day of Ligue 1 and is played on Sunday at 1pm: stats, probable formations, predictions.
While the strong rivalry remains unchanged, this year’s is probably a Breton derby in a minor tone due to Lorient’s “fault” false start.
Les Merlus, among the main surprises of the last few seasons, are only third last after the first eight days. And, if Ligue 1 absurdly ended today, they would be forced to play in the play-off not to relegate. The standings, however, are still very short: Regis Le Bris’s men have seven points, only four fewer than their arch-rivals Rennes, who, on the other hand, are eighth, close to the European zone. One can understand, then, how an eventual victory could even catapult Lorient to the left side of the standings. The orange-blacks for now have only one victory, against Lille (4-1) on the third day. For the rest, many draws (4) and a few defeats (3), for a performance that is far from exciting, especially when compared with that of recent years.
In the last round, however, Lorient was able to come back from two goals down to Fabio Grosso’s Lyon (3-3) in a game that at the beginning of the second half seemed already closed.
Belocian of Rennes
A draw that’s as good as a win, although the defensive numbers-after the 0-0 draw with Psg, Lorient cashed in an impressive 16 goals overall-continue to worry. Rennes, on the other hand, is coming off its second defeat of the season after the one it suffered against Villarreal in the Europa League: this time Roazhon Park did not prove indigestible to Psg, which managed to violate the Rossoneri stadium after years, beating Bruno Genesio’s men 3-1. In the derby, the Rouges et Noirs coach will have to do without the disqualified Matic, but Lorient’s infirmary is definitely more crowded: absent are Dieng, Grbic, Mendy and Le Goff.
The Prediction
Rennes on the road has yet to win but is undefeated: three draws so far for the Rossoneri, who boast the best outside defense in the tournament (only 1 goal conceded). There is no such thing as a foregone derby – Rennes hasn’t won in Lorient since November 2021 – but it is Genesio’s team that is a slight favorite in a match that should give at least three total goals.
Lorient-Rennes likely lineups
- LORIENT (3-4-3): Mvogo; Mendy, Laporte, Talbi; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Yongwa; Faivre, Kroupi, Tosin.
- RENNES (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Assignon, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Santamaria; Blas, Rieder, Gouiri; Kalimuendo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
