Rennes vs. Nantes Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 April 2025 - bettingexpert

As we gear up for the clash on 18 April 2025 at Roazhon Park, Rennes will be hosting Nantes in what promises to be a thrilling Ligue 1 encounter. Currently positioned 11th with 35 points, Rennes will be keen to solidify their mid-table standing, while Nantes, sitting at 13th with 30 points, will be looking to claw their way up the table.

Rennes come into this game as the bookmakers’ favorites with odds of 1.80 for a home win. This confidence is bolstered by their recent 5-1 thrashing of Le Havre, demonstrating their strong offensive capability spearheaded by top scorer Arnaud Kalimuendo, who has netted 14 goals this season. On the other hand, Nantes, despite having some tumultuous recent results, managed crucial wins against Nice and Lille, proving they are no pushovers.

Rennes have a slightly better track record in head-to-head encounters, with victories in four of their last five matches against Nantes. Notably, both teams have scored in over 79% and 82% of their respective matches this season, hinting at a potential goal fest.

With referee Abdelatif Kherradji overseeing the match, expect a tightly contested affair. The weather might play a part, but both teams look set to put on a competitive show.

For betting enthusiasts, a recommended tip is to back Rennes for the win, considering their stronger form and attacking momentum. This match is a significant fixture in the broader narrative of Ligue 1, and both teams will battle hard as the season edges towards its climax.

Rennes vs Nantes Prediction & Betting tip

Given the upcoming clash between Rennes and Nantes, our recommended betting tip is to back Rennes for the win. This recommendation is based on several match tips and facts that indicate a favorable outcome for the home team.

Rennes vs Nantes Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Rennes to win	1.80

• Recent Form: Rennes are coming off a strong 5-1 victory against Le Havre, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid form.
• Head-to-Head Record: Rennes have a better track record in recent encounters against Nantes, winning four of their last five matches.
• Attack Power: With Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga leading the charge, Rennes have a reliable goal scorer who has already netted 14 goals this season.

Backing Rennes for a win is a logical choice given their current momentum and previous head-to-head successes.

Rennes vs Nantes Odds

Here’s a look at the betting odds for the match between Rennes and Nantes:

Rennes vs Nantes Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Rennes to win	1.80
Draw	3.62
Nantes to win	4.35

Rennes are the favourites for this encounter. Their recent 5-1 triumph against Le Havre and superior head-to-head record against Nantes make them a solid pick.
Given their home advantage and current form, it’s no surprise that the bookmakers favour Rennes to secure three points.

Rennes Team Analysis

Rennes Recent Performance

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Le Havre	Rennes	2025-04-13	Ligue 1	1-5 (Win)
Rennes	Auxerre	2025-04-06	Ligue 1	0-1 (Loss)
Angers	Rennes	2025-03-30	Ligue 1	0-3 (Win)
Lens	Rennes	2025-03-15	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)
Rennes	PSG	2025-03-08	Ligue 1	1-4 (Loss)

Recent Form: WLWLL

Rennes have had a mixed bag of results in their last five matches with two wins and three losses. Notable among these performances is a dominant 5-1 victory against Le Havre and a solid 3-0 triumph over Angers. However, losses to Auxerre, Lens, and PSG highlight some inconsistency.

The team has averaged 1.80 goals per game in their last five matches but managed just one clean sheet during this period. Habib Beye will be looking to tighten up the defense and continue their strong attacking form led by top scorer Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga.

Rennes Key Players

Rennes will be looking to their talismanic forward, Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga, who has found the back of the net 14 times this season and is the top scorer for the team. His ability to break defenses and convert chances could prove decisive against Nantes.
Among the supporting cast, Seko Fofana’s presence in the midfield will be crucial. His vision and passing ability can unlock opposition defenses, feeding crucial balls to Kalimuendo-Muinga and Mousa Tamari.
In defense, the spotlight will be on Jérémy Jacquet, Anthony Rouault, and Lilian Brassier, who need to fortify the backline and prevent leaks.

Expected lineup for Rennes:

• Goalkeeper: Brice Samba
• Defenders: Jérémy Jacquet, Anthony Rouault, Lilian Brassier
• Midfielders: Lorenz Assignon, Seko Fofana, Djaoui Cisse, Adrien Truffert, Azor Matusiwa
• Attackers: Mousa Tamari, Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga

Rennes Suspensions & Injuries

Rennes have a few notable injuries to contend with which could impact their performance.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Alidu Seidu	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Dogan Alemdar	Cruciate ligament injury	Late April 2025
Ludovic Blas	Thigh injury	Late April 2025

These absences, particularly in defense and midfield, may force coach Habib Beye to rely on squad depth to maintain stability throughout the match. The attacking prowess of Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga and the midfield creativity of Seko Fofana will be crucial in overcoming these setbacks.

Rennes Tactics and Formation

Rennes Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Arnaud Kalimuendo
• Wing Play: Lorenz Assignon and Adrien Truffert operating as wing-backs.
• Midfield Core: Seko Fofana and Djaoui Cisse dominate the central midfield.
• Defensive Strategy: A three-man defence led by Jérémy Jacquet, Anthony Rouault, and Lilian Brassier provides solidity at the back.
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on quick transitions and exploiting the flanks for counterattacks.

Expect Rennes to lean on their strong midfield presence for ball control while looking to their leading scorer, Arnaud Kalimuendo, to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Their wing-backs will provide width, making overlapping runs to support the forwards.

Nantes Team Analysis

Nantes Recent Performance

Nantes have had a mixed bag of results recently, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. They are averaging one goal per game and have managed just one clean sheet during this stretch.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Nice	Nantes	2025-04-04	Ligue 1	1-2 (Win)
Le Havre	Nantes	2025-03-30	Ligue 1	3-2 (Loss)
Nantes	Lille	2025-03-15	Ligue 1	1-0 (Win)
Nantes	Strasbourg	2025-03-09	Ligue 1	0-1 (Loss)
Marseille	Nantes	2025-03-02	Ligue 1	2-0 (Loss)

Recent Form: WLWLL
Despite their inconsistency, Nantes have shown they can snatch victories, with notable wins against Nice and Lille. However, their defense looks shaky as they have conceded seven goals in these five games. Coach Antoine Kombouaré will be keen to tighten things up at the back while relying on key striker Matthis Abline to improve their attacking output.

Nantes Key Players

Nantes will rely heavily on their star players to turn the tide in this crucial match. Matthis Abline, their top scorer with 8 goals, will spearhead the attack and look to exploit the weaknesses in the Rennes defense. In midfield, Douglas Augusto and Louis Leroux will be key in controlling the game’s tempo and creating scoring opportunities. Sorba Thomas on the wing can be pivotal in supplying crosses and adding width to their attack. In defense, Nicolas Pallois and Saidou Sow will need to be at their best to contain Rennes’ attacking threats, especially against Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga.

Expected line-up for Nantes:

• Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes
• Defenders: Kelvin Amian, Nicolas Pallois, Saidou Sow, Nicolas Cozza
• Midfielders: Sorba Thomas, Douglas Augusto, Louis Leroux
• Forwards: Matthis Abline, Meschack Elia, Moses Simon

Nantes Suspensions & Injuries

Nantes are grappling with a spate of injuries that could significantly impact their performance in the upcoming fixture against Rennes. Although there are no suspensions to report, the injury list is a cause for concern for Antoine Kombouaré.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Adel Mahamoud	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Nathan Zeze	Broken ankle	Late April 2025
Francis Coquelin	Hamstring injury	Late April 2025
Pedro Chirivella	Hip injury	Late April 2025

These absences, particularly in midfield with the likes of Francis Coquelin and Pedro Chirivella unavailable, will force Nantes to rely on their depth to maintain competitiveness. The defensive solidity and midfield control could be compromised due to these injuries, which might leave coach Kombouaré needing to adjust his tactics accordingly.

Nantes Tactics and Formation

Nantes’ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3 (with possible adjustments depending on the opposition’s strengths)
• Key Forward: Matthis Abline, who has secured 8 goals this season
• Midfield Trio: Sorba Thomas, Douglas Augusto, and Louis Leroux
• Defensive Setup: Right back Kelvin Amian, centre backs Nicolas Pallois and Saidou Sow, and left back Nicolas Cozza
• Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes, who will anchor the defence

Notable Strategy:

• They have conceded the most goals between the 76th-90th minute, indicating potential lapses in concentration late in the game.
• Nantes focus on controlled midfield play and quick transitions to the forwards to catch the opposition off-guard.

Despite recent injuries, Nantes will rely on tight defensive organization and exploiting quick counter-attacks to challenge Rennes.

Rennes vs Nantes Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Nantes	Rennes	2024-12-08	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)
Nantes	Rennes	2024-04-20	Ligue 1	0-3 (Win)
Rennes	Nantes	2023-10-01	Ligue 1	3-1 (Win)
Nantes	Rennes	2023-02-26	Ligue 1	0-1 (Win)
Rennes	Nantes	2022-10-09	Ligue 1	3-0 (Win)

Rennes have had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning four out of the last five matches against Nantes.
Their dominant performances include a 3-0 victory at home and a 3-1 win on the road.
Nantes’ solitary win came in their most recent fixture last December, a narrow 1-0 victory.

Odds accurate as of 16/04/2025 19:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.