Rennes Vs Lens

Rennes will aim to continue their strong home form in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season as they prepare to face unbeaten Lens at Roazhon Park in the highly anticipated Derby du Nord on Saturday evening. Both teams have displayed impressive starts to the season, with Rennes currently sitting in seventh place after five matches and Lens just ahead in fourth place with two more points. This encounter promises to be a thrilling one, given both sides’ ambitions and recent performances. However, Rennes’ mixed results this season, coupled with Lens’ unbeaten record, set the stage for a fiercely competitive match.

Match Preview

After a challenging 2023-24 campaign where Rennes finished in a disappointing position—marking their worst league placement since the 2018-19 season—the club has been eager to bounce back in 2024-25. While their start to the new season hasn’t been as consistent as they would have liked, there are some positives to build upon. Rennes kicked off their season with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Lyon, showcasing their attacking prowess. However, their momentum was quickly halted as they suffered consecutive defeats on the road, losing 2-1 to Strasbourg and then 1-0 to Reims in back-to-back matches. These losses highlighted some defensive frailties and inconsistent performances away from home, raising questions about Rennes' ability to sustain their form over a long campaign.

The international break came at an opportune time for Julien Stephan’s men, allowing them to regroup and refocus. Upon their return to domestic action, Rennes produced another impressive performance, defeating Montpellier 3-0 in front of their home supporters. This victory further solidified Rennes' status as a formidable side at Roazhon Park, where they have shown their best football so far this season. Their attacking fluidity and defensive organization at home have been key to their two wins, during which they have scored six goals—a tally only bettered by Paris Saint-Germain's nine at the Parc des Princes.

One of the standout aspects of Rennes' home performances this season has been their ability to find the back of the net consistently. Under the guidance of Stephan, who took over in mid-November last year, Rennes have scored in every single league match at Roazhon Park. This run now spans 12 games, demonstrating their offensive potency on home soil. Ludovic Blas, in particular, has been in fine form, recently scoring in their latest victory against Montpellier. The attacking midfielder’s contributions have been vital, adding creativity and goal-scoring threat to a Rennes side that will be hoping to continue their dominance at home.

However, Rennes’ recent record against Lens will likely be a concern for Stephan and his coaching staff. The two sides last met at Roazhon Park in a tightly contested 1-1 draw, with goals from Angelo Fulgini and Ibrahim Salah ensuring the points were shared. This result extended Rennes’ winless run against Lens to an alarming eight games, a sequence that includes four draws and four losses. Rennes will need to break this negative streak if they are to move up the table and challenge for European qualification this season.

Lens, on the other hand, arrive at Roazhon Park with an unbeaten record in Ligue 1 this season and are currently fourth in the table with eight points from their first five matches. Managed by the highly regarded Will Still, Lens have emerged as one of the early contenders for a top-four finish this season. Still’s side has shown great resilience and discipline in their performances so far, with their solid defense and tactical cohesion playing a significant role in their early success.

Lens began their campaign with back-to-back victories, defeating Angers 2-1 in their season opener before securing a 3-0 win against Brest. These results provided them with the perfect platform to build upon. Their next two matches were more challenging, but they managed to maintain their unbeaten status. A thrilling encounter against Monaco saw them steal a late point with a 2-2 draw just before the international break. Following the break, Lens played out a goalless draw against Lyon, a game in which their defense once again proved to be a strong point.

The Blood and Gold’s unbeaten streak now stretches back to the tail end of last season, with Lens currently enjoying a seven-game run without defeat in Ligue 1, a feat they share with Monaco. Their disciplined defense has been the foundation of their strong start, with Lens conceding just three goals in their first five games. This defensive solidity will be crucial as they look to navigate a challenging fixture list in the coming weeks.

Despite their domestic success, Lens have had a notable disappointment in European competition this season. A 2-0 defeat to Greek side Panathinaikos in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier eliminated them from European contention. This was a major blow for a team that had hoped to make a deeper run in Europe after their strong domestic campaign last season. The result against Panathinaikos served as a stark reminder that Lens, while solid domestically, still have work to do to compete on multiple fronts.

Nevertheless, Still has earned plenty of praise for his work so far, particularly in stabilizing Lens after their European exit and ensuring they remain focused on Ligue 1. He has managed to strike the right balance between attack and defense, making Lens a difficult side to break down. Their next challenge will be to continue their unbeaten run away from home, something they have not achieved in three consecutive away matches since earlier this year. This trip to Roazhon Park presents an opportunity for Lens to prove their credentials as genuine contenders in Ligue 1 this season.

For Rennes, this match is pivotal in determining the direction their season will take. A win against a top-four rival like Lens could serve as a springboard for a sustained push towards the European places, while another defeat could signal that inconsistency remains an issue. The home side will need to be at their best, particularly in defense, where they have shown vulnerability on occasion. With Lens boasting a solid defense of their own, Rennes’ attackers, including Blas and forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, will need to be clinical in front of goal to secure all three points.

Lens, on the other hand, will be focused on maintaining their unbeaten record and adding to their points tally. Their defense, led by standout performers such as Kevin Danso and Jonathan Gradit, has been exceptional this season, and they will be looking to keep another clean sheet. In attack, Lens have options such as Fulgini and Elye Wahi, who will be eager to break down a Rennes defense that has shown vulnerability in recent weeks.

As the two sides prepare to face off in the Derby du Nord, all eyes will be on Roazhon Park, where Rennes will look to use their home advantage to halt Lens’ unbeaten run. Both teams have much at stake in this early-season encounter, with Rennes aiming to break their winless streak against Lens and the visitors hoping to continue their rise up the table. With both teams boasting talented squads and ambitious coaches, this match promises to be an entertaining and closely fought affair.

A win for Rennes could see them leapfrog Lens in the table and boost their confidence as they aim to challenge the likes of PSG and Monaco for a European spot. Conversely, Lens will be determined to leave Roazhon Park with a positive result, maintaining their unbeaten run and solidifying their position in the top four.

As the action unfolds on Saturday evening, fans can expect a high-intensity clash between two sides with contrasting fortunes in recent seasons. Rennes will hope their strong home form continues, while Lens will be looking to extend their impressive start to the campaign. With so much on the line, the Derby du Nord could be one of the standout fixtures of the weekend in Ligue 1.