Nantes will play host to Breton rivals, Rennes this coming Sunday afternoon as the two meet for the first time this season. Their last clash was at Nantes' Stade de la Beaujoire in which the away side ran riot in a 0-3 victory and Rennes manager, Philippe Montainer will be hoping for more of the same.
As I write this, I am in Glasgow- almost 700 miles from the venue. However, the few Rennes fans and I in the UK will be switching on our televisions at 1pm to look our warriors against the warriors of an other fan's team.
Although I am a relatively 'new' fan of Rennes, the fact that it is a derby is enough to fill that void of intense derby fever that my city has been deprived of. One of the main draws of an intense derby is the build-up. From my previous derby experience, build-up is a gradual experience with the climax at the entry of the two teams to the pitch for kick-off.
Every detail imaginable is examined on the run up to the derby in some form or another. It would be hard to escape 'derby fever', to the point where you would feel a tiny bit sorry for the person who is least interested person in sport. It all stops at kick off when there is a surprising lull as all eyes are itched on the match unfolding in front of them- the eye of the hurricane. This is anything but a period of calmness.
For us fans in the UK, we won't get to share this experience in person like those in France will, taking away some of the bite to the derby. The only saving grace for the UK fans is not sharing the collective agony with our fellow supporters in defeat. Although the Breton derby isn't the greatest spectacle for the football fan in the UK, it is for us in the minority and that's all that matters.
During a derby match you realise that all the week's chatter and run-up to a derby matters not one jot as the old saying, 'form counts for nothing in derby matches'. Whenever this is mentioned, it usually accompanies a conversation on one of the two teams being 'off form'. On the contrary, this up and coming Breton derby is a little different- both teams are on form.
Where's the stats at?
Nantes' last loss came away to Lille in the middle of September, whereas Rennes have battled through recent tough games, coming out of top in their previous two encounters with Lille and then a dramatic match against Marseille in the league cup in midweek.
11 weeks into the Ligue 1 season Nantes have notched 10 goals with two of them being penalties. Four goals have came from open play, two goals have come from crosses and they have scored one costless kick. The Canaries have been early birds in games scoring 60% of their goals in the first half.
Rennes have scored more goals than their rivals thus far- 13 goals in 11 weeks of games. The away side have been very sporadic in their means of scoring- four goals have been scored from open play, four goals have been scored from crosses, two goals have been scored from corners and Rennes have scored one from costless kick and penalty situations. Rennes have been late hitters, scoring 76% of their goals in the second half.
In terms of previous derby home matches for Nantes, they have dominated with 43 victories compared to Rennes' 4 wins- winning three of their last four visits to the Stade de la Beaujoire. The last meeting in February was an astounding 0-3 romp for Rennes, resulting in their highest score win away to their rivals.
How do I see the match playing out?
Nantes have managed to score in their last four league games, whereas Rennes average over one goal a game. Based on those figures it would be foolish to think that the game will end in a boring 0-0 draw.
Only five players from the two sides have played all eleven games for their clubs. Edson Mexer, Benoit Costil and Romain Danze have appeared in every Rennes game whereas Oswaldo Vizcarrondo and Kian Hansen have appeared in every Nantes game. I would expect the usual suspects to appear for their respective clubs in the derby. Who will start up top for Rennes is the condundrum for Montanier, does he start Hosiner after his last minute winner - Marseille or does he start Habib Habibou. I believe it would be mad to drop Hosiner, as his confidence will be high coming off of that important cup match. On the other hand, Habibou is the much faster and more athletic player and can exploit Nantes' back 3.
It is the norm with Rennes to be very unpredictable- a fantastic example for near the end of last season is when Rennes lost in the cup final (again) to Guingamp, yet managed to defeat eventual Ligue 1 champions PSG and then going on to lose again Sochaux who were eventually relegated. Rennes wouldn't surprise by winning or losing the match on Sunday- a strange situation to be it.
Prediction: FC Nantes 1-2 Stade Rennais
FC Nantes - Stade Rennais; Sunday; BT Sport 2; 1pm GMT