Preview: Brest vs Rennes - prediction, team news, lineups

European hopefuls Rennes return from the international break with a short trip to Brest, as both sides aim to revive their faltering form in Saturday’s Brittany derby at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Both clubs have seen their momentum stall in recent weeks, with the hosts losing back-to-back outings and the visitors also winless in their last two matches (D1, L1).

Match preview

Brest sit 11th in the Ligue 1 table, 14 points clear of the relegation zone, but remain 10 points adrift of the top six with only seven games remaining, leaving European qualification a distant prospect.

The Pirates’ only continental adventure was a Champions League campaign in 2024-25, and the ongoing season has largely been marred by inconsistent form following periods of promise.

Eric Moy’s men did enjoy a six-match unbeaten run from early February to early March, claiming four clean-sheet victories, though their defensive solidity has since given way to struggles in attack.

Brest lost away at Monaco before a 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Auxerre, despite enjoying a man advantage for most of the game, leaving them on the verge of three successive Ligue 1 defeats without scoring in a single season for the first time since April 2013.

Returning from the international break, Les Pirates will also be pleased to be back at Francis-Le Ble, where they have won six of their last seven home games (D1), with five of those victories coming with clean sheets, and the hosts will hope that record provides a platform to reignite their fading European ambitions.

Rennes have also seen their continental aspirations dented in recent weeks, slipping out of the top six to seventh place after moving from a four-game winning streak to failing to record victory in their last two matches.

The downturn began with a 2-1 loss to Lille, followed by a goalless draw against bottom-placed Metz, marking a second sequence this year that Les Rennais have gone back-to-back home games without a victory at Roazhon Park.

However, travelling offers Rennes cause for optimism, having won their last two away fixtures with a combined 7-0 scoreline, with only Lille, Lens, and Paris Saint-Germain amassing more Ligue 1 points on the road this season than Rennes’ 19.

Seeking to become the first manager to win his opening three top-flight away games, Franck Haise – appointed February 18 – will be aware that Les Rennais have not won in their last two league visits to Brest (D2), though they remain unbeaten in their last six league away matches at the venue (W2, D4).

Victory on Saturday would also see Rennes record a Ligue 1 double over Les Pirates for the first time since 2022-23, having secured a 3-1 success in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

Rennes Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Brest will be without Mamory Doumbia, who was a late withdrawal for the Auxerre game due to an abductor problem, meaning Lucas Tousart will likely retain his spot in midfield.

Mama Balde, who returned from a thigh injury last match, has been ruled out for three weeks following a relapse and will miss the derby.

On a positive note, head coach Roy will have key players Brendan Chardonnet and Ludovic Ajorque back from suspension; the latter leads the team in Ligue 1 goal contributions, making his return significant for the hosts.

Rennes appear largely intact, though Liverpool-bound defender Jeremy Jacquet will continue his recovery from shoulder surgery.

The visitors will also be without the defensive duo of Przemyslaw Frankowski and Anthony Rouault, both of whom will serve suspensions for accumulated bookings.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Coudert; Lala, Chardonnet, Diaz, Guindo; Chotard, Magnetti; Castillo, Tousart, Ebimbe; Ajorque

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Samba; Merlin, Brassier, Boudlal, Nagida; Camara, Rongier, Szymanski; Nordin, Lepaul, Blas

We say: Brest 1-1 Rennes

This Brittany derby features two sides seeking to rediscover form after the international break, suggesting a cautious and competitive encounter.

As such, a balanced contest appears likely, and given four of the last six meetings between the sides at Francis-Le Ble have ended in draws, another stalemate looks the most probable outcome.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.