Nantes — Rennes : Match Preview and Prediction for September 20,2025

Nantes’ Rocky Start

Nantes experienced a thoroughly disappointing pre-season, managing just a single victory against four defeats. This poor form regrettably extended into their national championship campaign, where their start has been equally faltering.

Ligue 1 Performance & Fixture Challenges

The ‘Canaries’ have adopted a pragmatic approach in Ligue 1, evident from the fact that all four of their matches have seen just a solitary goal scored. Their fixture list offered no reprieve, commencing with challenging encounters against PSG (0-1) and Strasbourg (0-1). A glimmer of hope appeared in the third round with a home win over Angers (1-0), but this momentum was quickly lost in the subsequent game, where they suffered another 0-1 defeat, this time to Nice.

Impact of Key Player Departures

These underwhelming performances are largely attributable to the significant departures of key players such as Nathan Zeze, Douglas Augusto, Pedro Chirivella, and Charles Castelletto. Crucially, the club failed to secure adequate replacements, making these early season struggles entirely predictable.

Team News and Absentees for Nantes

Manager Luís Castro will be without the services of the injured Guirassy, and the availability of Coquelin remains uncertain, adding to the team’s challenges.

Rennes’ Instability and Disciplinary Issues

Rennes has displayed a distinct lack of stability and, more notably, discipline, having avoided a red card in only one of their four recent fixtures.

Rennes’ Rollercoaster Start to the Season

The ‘Red and Blacks’ commenced their campaign with a somewhat unexpected 1-0 home triumph over a formidable Marseille side, despite being outplayed for much of the game. This was starkly contrasted by a devastating 0-4 loss to Lorient in their subsequent match, a result largely self-inflicted as Habib Beye’s squad found themselves with nine men by the 11th minute. A 1-1 draw with Angers then followed, before they once again defied expectations with a 3-1 home victory against Lyon, though this win was significantly influenced by Tyler Morton’s early red card for the ‘Weavers’.

Summer Transfers and Squad Strengthening

In stark contrast to their opponents, Rennes has significantly bolstered their squad over the summer. Notable acquisitions include Breel Embolo, Quentin Merlin, Valentin Rongier, and Lilian Brassier. Their only notable departure was Arnaud Kalimuendo, who transferred to Nottingham Forest, leaving the squad in a stronger position.

Away Struggles vs. Home Dominance

Rennes’ away form this season has been a concern, with only a single point earned against mid-table adversaries. Conversely, their home record is much stronger, demonstrated by convincing wins against Marseille and Lyon.

Rennes Team News: Full Strength Squad

Manager Habib Beye enjoys a clean bill of health across his squad, with all key players available for selection, which is a significant advantage.