Valenciennes vs. Stade Rennes – Ligue 1 Preview
Stade Nungesser will see relegation-threatened Valenciennes face fifth placed Stade Rennes on May 8, 2011. This game is crucial to both side’s chances of achieving their respective aims for the season.
Valenciennes are just one point away from the dreaded relegation zone and would be looking to take three points against Rennes in order to move away from the drop zone. Last week, Valenciennes lost 3-1 against Paris Saint-Germain. A win tonight will move
Valenciennes to 14th place in the Ligue 1 table. With just four games left this season, Valenciennes will have to win at least three games of the remaining five in order to guarantee Ligue 1 football next season.
VA Coach Phillipe Montanier has a tough task ahead as after Sunday’s game, his side will travel to Toulouse and on the 15
of May, VA will host Auxerre in a game that would be very important for both side’s chances of survival.
Stade Rennais midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Razak-Boukari-c30712 has insisted that his side is not going to ‘free-wheel’ in the final furlong of the season. A dismal run of form has already dampened Rennes’ title aspirations and should this run continue, Rennes might even struggle
to qualify for Europe next season.
Les Rouges and Noirs face Valenciennes knowing that they must end their seven-game winless run. Rennes can still occupy the final European berth as they are six points ahead of sixth placed Lorient. Boukari has rejected suggestions that maintaining their
current position is all that is left to achieve for Les Rouges et Noirs this season.
While talking to the media, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Togo-c3022 International said, "We are only four points behind fourth place and we have the ambition to close this gap,” before adding that his side should focus in the final games in order to make sure they play in Europe next
season.
Head to Head
Valenciennes
So far this season, Valenciennes have played 33 games and are in 17th
place with 39 points. A goal difference of ‘1’ means that Phillipe Montanier’s side has a great chance of avoiding relegation, though, they need positive results in the final weeks of the Ligue 1 season.
In the last five games at home, Valenciennes have failed to win even once, drawing all the five matches. Valenciennes have been the draw specialists of Ligue 1 this season as they have drawn 15 games. Of the 16 home games, Valenciennes have drawn 8, won
6 and lost just two games, which means that Stade Rennes might find it hard to break down the Valenciennes defence.
Stade Rennes
With 52 points from 33 games, Rennes lie fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings. However, a run of seven games without a win has made things complicated for the Lorient-based club. Moreover, Les Rouges et Noirs have been far from convincing on away turfs this
season. In 16 away games, Rennes have won just five, drawn five and have lost six times.
Previous Meeting
The two sides last met in the league on December 18, 2010, at the Stade de la Route-de-Lorient. Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik scored a last-gasp winner to keep Rennes’ title hopes alive.
Prediction
It seems that Rennes might have to wait a while longer to end their winless streak. A draw would be enough for Valenciennes to move further away from the relegation zone.
Predicted final score: Valenciennes 1-1 Stade Rennes
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