Rennes vs Montpellier Prediction & Betting Tips (3 February)

Almost always qualified for Europe in recent seasons, Stade Rennais completely missed the start of the year to the point of having completely put aside its ambitions to finish in the top 6 qualifying for international competitions. However, the return of Julien Stéphan to the Breton bench seems to have redistributed the cards and his players have found a much more solid collective strength than during the first months of competition. Already victorious before the holidays against Clermont 1-3, the Rouges et Noir were able to follow up with two great victories against Nice 2-0 and Lyon 2-3 last week. This series allowed them to return to the 1st half of the table and return to 7 units of the top 5. The Rennais will face Sochaux next week in the 1/8th final of the Coupe de France and they will face AC Milan in the play-offs of the Europa League within ten days.

Opposite, Montpellier obviously does not have the same objectives as its opponent of the day for this 2nd part of the exercise. If they will also play in the 1/8 finals of the Coupe de France against Nice next week, the Paillade players must above all concentrate on the championship over the coming months. Indeed, Michel Der Zakarian's players are only in 12th position in the rankings with only 3 units ahead of the Lyon play-off after 19 days. Defeated in Brest 2-0, the Héraultais were able to hold off a great Lille team last week at home 0-0.

Affected against Nice at the start of the month, Swiss midfielder Rieder is still not available, joined in the infirmary by the now starting central defender Belocian. On the other hand, Julien Stéphan should find his central defender Wooh who was eliminated from the CAN with Cameroon. Young Omari is back after being suspended last week. Finally, Serbian midfielder Matic was transferred to Lyon at the end of last week. Getting better and better after his return from injury, striker Terrier scored 3 goals in Rennes' last 2 matches, including a double in Lyon last weekend. Center forward Kalimuendo (4 goals in L1 and 2 in the Coupe de France), captain Bourigeaud (5 goals), and the very good midfielder Le Fée are also applying for a place in the 11. Also watch out for young Désiré Doué ( 3 goals). This winter, the Breton leaders set their sights on the very good Reims midfielder Matusiwa and on the defender Seidu (Clermont) to try to regain solidity. Defender Assignon was loaned to Burnley.

On the Paillade side, the internationals Bertaud, Sylla, Kouyaté and Sacko are still selected to play the CAN while El Tamari (3 goals) is competing in the Asian Cup with the Jordan. On the other hand, Cameroonian Tchato is back after being eliminated. Affected again last week, left back Mincarelli is not guaranteed to be part of the group. Above all, Akor Adams (7 goals in 18 appearances in Ligue 1) joined the infirmary just like the starting winger Nordin. Captain and playmaker Savanier (3 goals, 4 assists) will be there. Montpellier recruited Tunisian right-back Hefti (Genoa), defender Sagnan (Utrecht), and former Bordeaux player Karamoh (Torino, loan) during the winter transfer window. On the other hand, striker Yeboah saw his loan aborted and returned to Genoa and valuable defender Estève headed to Burnley on loan.