Nantes – Rennes

The odds on Rennes seem too low

Nantes face Rennes in their round 36 game in the French championship. Nantes have already completed their main task for the season. "The Canaries won the French Cup, beating Nice 1-0 in the final. In Ligue 1, Nantes are in ninth place and unlikely to move any further. So they can finish the season at their own pace. But even in a mode with weak motivation, Nantes can play quite brightly and actively. Only one of their last seven games saw Nantes lose. Before the final against Nice, Nantes shared the points with Lens (2-2), before that they snatched victory from Bordeaux (5-3), and just before that they lost to Marseille (2-3). In each game they showed a fighting spirit and strength of character. Rennes, on the other hand, were not too badly motivated. After a great streak, they suffered two defeats to Monaco (2-3) and Strasbourg (1-2), their direct rivals for the place in the European competitions. Rennes have since rectified the situation and beat Lorient (5-0) with Saint-Etienne (2-0). So it is now looking decent and in fourth place in Ligue 1. But they could climb to third if they win, leaving them just three points adrift of second place. It also means a direct trip to the Champions League. Given Rennes' excellent level of attack and organisation, it could be a deserved outcome of the season. But it is important to play the final rounds at a high level. Rennes beat Nantes 1-0 at home in the first leg. The winning goal was scored then by Terrier, who is having an awesome season and is third in the goalscorer's race. He has 21 goals - the same as Ben Yedder of Monaco. That is just three fewer than Kylian Mbappe. Rennes' second scorer, by the way, is not that far away. Laborde has 15 goals and is fifth in the sniper's race. Nantes' top scorer, Colo Mouani, has just 12 goals. Nantes are not so bad at home: ten wins with three draws and four defeats. Rennes have six away wins, four draws and seven defeats.