http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Lorient-c39153 – French Ligue 1 preview
An irresistible object meets an immovable object when Breton rivals Stade Rennais and Lorient clash on Sunday October 16, 2011 in Week 10 of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 campaign.
In recent seasons, Rennais have prided themselves on being a defensively solid unit. However, Frederic Antonetti’s charges have literally cut loose this season and have already scored 18 goals in just eight games which is their best start to the season since
the 1963-64 season.
Rennais have failed to find the net in just two games and the last time this happened was when they lost 2-0 to champions Lille. However, Antonetti wasn’t too disheartened by the defeat and had only good things to point out after the defeat.
While goals have been the order of the day every time Rennais play, leaking goals has become a common trend as well. The Breton s have con ceded more goals that any other league side apart from three.
Currently in seventh place and a point ahead of Lorient, Rennais need to stop conceding goals in order to mount a title assault which is still within their sight.
So far, Rennais have not lost a game at home but Lorient might inflict them their first loss of the season at Stade de la Route de Lorient.
Les Merlus
Lorient have conceded just seven goals this season and after defeating Valenciennes 2-0 in Week 9 of Ligue 1 action Christian Gourcuff will be looking for more from his players when they face Stade Rennais.
“As long as we don’t manage to change the scoreline, we’re always at the mercy of our opponents. I’ve seen Lorient teams who at 2-0 would control the match more calmly,” said the Lorient coach.
Match history
This will be the eighth time the two sides meet eachother in Ligue 1. Rennais have won five of the previous seven games while Lorient have won just once. Their maiden victory at Rennais was when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-Coquelin-c13952 scored to beat Rennais 2-1
after Stephane Dalmat opened the scoring for the hosts last season.
However, Lorient have never been able to keep a clean sheet in the Ligue 1 against Rennais away from home. Along with Auxerre, Rennais and Lorient are the only teams in Ligue 1 this season who haven’t had a player sent-off.
Including Lorient, Rennais are one of the five teams who are yet to taste defeat at home this season but Rennais have won just one game in their last four games at home.
Team news
Rennais
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tanzania-c3019 but will be able to play against Lorient.
Lorient
Jérémie Aliadière is unlikely to play against Rennais after the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 man failed to recover from a knee injury during the international break.
Jouffre and Romao are out due to suspensions while Quercia and Diarra are still sidelined.
Predictions
With Rennais not being able to register a win at home in recent weeks, Antonetti’s men might find it hard to break down a well-drilled Lorient side that is in good shape.
Predicted final score: Rennais 1-1 Lorient
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