Nantes preview

• Back to back wins has seen them move up towards midtable, easing the pressure on Rene Girard.
• Squad condition very good with no significant injuries or suspensions.
• The biggest strength of Nantes under Girard is their defence which has remained fairly solid.
• Their goalscoring ability is questionable, but has slightly improved recently.

Rennes preview

• Christian Gourcuff’s men have been inconsistent this season but reside as high as seventh in the table.
• Their away record is poor, losing 3 out of 4 games and registering just one goal in the process.
• Centre back Bensebaini & midfielder Chantome are the only notable injuries, although the latter has yet to even feature this season much.

Conclusion & betting analysis

• There are many football clubs in Brittany these days that reside in the top two divisions. But this is the ‘big’ one, the derby that really matters the most.
• Both teams hate each other and there is a massive regional pride at stake. I expect a fiercely contested match and sometimes this fixture can get overheated.
• The away team usually goes well in this fixture, possibly because of the extra pressure placed on the home club by its fans. Everyone is so desperate to win.
• It is likely to be a very stop-start sort of game and chances might be at a premium.
• None of the betting lines interests me in this potentially volatile fixture.
• Literally anything could happen here and it wouldn't surprise me at all if at least one player got sent off. Definitely a match to swerve betting wise.

Prediction: 0-0

Recommended bet: None