Rennes remained in the race for European places in spite of the run of three straight defeats and they now need a victory over Dijon to keep their Europa League hopes alive. The visitors, on the other hand, are aware three points from this match would probably see them avoid the drop, meaning there will be everything to play for at Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Three defeats in a row

Stade Rennes have established themselves as one of the top French sides over the last few years, but they haven’t been able to make that final step and join the race for Champions League places. Frederic Antonetti’s side have, nonetheless, been pretty impressive throughout the league campaign, especially in games against bottom-table sides. Team’s four-match winning run was followed by three straight defeats, but losses to Bordeaux, Montpellier and PSG cannot be seen as major setbacks. As we have already mentioned, les Bretons have won last four games against the bottom-table sides and that should give them plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the clash with Dijon, a team they beat 5-1 in the first part of the season. After the defeat to PSG, Rennes sit one point adrift of Europa League places, meaning that win over Dijon would see them clinch European qualification, provided Bordeaux don’t win in Saint Etienne.

Razak Boukari is back in contention after recovering from illness, while Julien Feret should start after he was rested against PSG. Kader Mangane and Mevlut Erding remain sidelined.

Dijon on verge of relegation

Dijon surprised everyone by gaining promotion to French top flight last season, and the club management did well to reinforce the squad before the start of their Ligue 1 campaign. However, the arrival of so many new players upset the balance of the squad and the team never quite managed to show they deserve to be playing at such a high level. The dismal run of results in the second part of the season saw Dijon slip to the relegation zone and after taking just three points from last eight games, they now sit two points adrift of safety. With most of their relegation rivals facing tricky ties on the final day of the season, Dijon would probably survive with three points from Brittany, but beating very good Rennes side away from home looks like mission impossible.

Important players Gael Kakuta, Brice Jovial, Damien Marcq and Thomas Guerbert are all unavailable.

Verdict

Rennes have done brilliantly against the bottom-table sides this season and they are unlikely to miss the opportunity to clinch the final Europa League berth with a win over sorry Dijon. The visitors are on a nine-match winless run and are missing several key players, so home win looks like a banker here.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.80 (4/5)

Bookmaker: Stan James