Saint Etienne vs Rennes Prediction & Betting Tips - French Cup

Prediction published on 02/03/2020, 14:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/03/2020 at 18:57 in French Cup Predictions

The Coupe de France semi-finals take place this week with a view to setting up one of the European season's most tantalising rematches. Defending champions Rennes visit Saint-Etienne on Thursday, one night after PSG travel to Lyon to decide who will get the other place in the Stade de France grand finale. Shocked by Rennes last season, PSG are desperate for revenge. It has been another good season for Rennes. On course to successfully defend their trophy, they are set to qualify for the Champions League as things stand. In third place, a point clear of Lyon, they know that a slip-up can be capitalised upon. Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, are toiling to simply stay in Ligue 1. 16th in the table, only two points stand between them and the drop zone. Relegation is a real possibility unless their form improves, losing nine of their last 11 matches in the top tier has undone a decent half-campaign.

Both Saint-Etienne and Rennes had to watch their step around potential banana skin ties in the last round, successfully navigating past lower-league opposition. There have been obstacles of greater esteem in their way on route to this stage. Rennes have knocked out Amiens and Angers, while Saint-Etienne won at Monaco. Rennes have built on their success from last season thanks to the retention of key players and the emergence of new talent like the brilliant 17-year-old midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. They may not be able to hold on to these players past next summer, by which time we suspect they will have made another cup final. Back the away side to add to the woes of Saint-Etienne by knocking them out of the cup.