Le Puy Foot 43 vs Rennes Prediction: Euro chasers to break minnows hearts

Thursday evening sees the completion of the Coupe de France quarter-finals with one sure to be a memorable encounter as Ligue 1 side Rennes travel to Le Puy (KO, 19:45), who ply their trade in the fourth tier of French football and are the lowest ranked side left in the competition.

Long-term manager Roland Vieira will be happy with the form that Le Puy are in going into this encounter - which is undoubtedly the biggest game in the club’s history - with Les Ponots unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions, winning 12.

Rennes’ recent outings have seen them come up against far superior opposition to their fourth-tier opponents, and a victory over AC Milan in the Europa League - although they lost on aggregate - and a draw with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain stands them in good stead heading into this quarter-final.

Team News

There are no fresh injury concerns for the Championnat National 2 hosts and, given their exploits to get to this stage, Vieira should not be expected to tinker too much with his current winning formula.

That means a 4-4-2 formation is the likeliest set up, with Bryan Adinany and Tommy Iva the likely strike pairing up top for Les Ponots.

Rennes boss Julien Stephan will continue to be without Fabian Rieder and Enzo Le Fee, with the duo not expected to return from injury until next month.

The large gulf between the two clubs may tempt Stephan into a handful of personnel players, with fringe players Mathis Lambourde and back-up goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon all in line for a rare start.

Match Odds

Rennes are the expected overwhelming favourites to win this cup tie at 1/6, while Le Puy are 12/1 to complete arguably the biggest giant-killing of the tournament.

A draw after 90 minutes can be backed at 5/1, while the Ligue 1 outfit to win both halves has odds of 5/4.

Rennes to win and Both Teams to Score @ 2/1

Les Rennais have won 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions, including three victories in the previous rounds of this tournament against Guingamp, Marseille and Sochaux.

Given that Stephan’s men have already seen off two lower league sides this year, it is hard to see Le Puy following in the footsteps of fellow fourth-tier outfit Les Herbiers - who made the final of this competition in 2018 - as Vieira’s side face a top-level opponent for the first time this campaign.

However, the magic of the cup can produce memorable moments and, given that Rennes conceded to third-tier Sochaux in the previous round, there may be something to cheer about in defeat.

Over 3.5 goals @ 11/8

Four of Le Puy’s last five home games in all competitions have seen at least three strikes find the back of the net.

The same can be said for seven of Les Rennais’ last nine across domestic, cup and continental fixtures and so a goal-fest could be in the offing at the Stade Charles Massot.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.