Brentford continue their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a trip to Roazhon Park to face Ligue 1 side Rennes on Saturday evening (5pm CET kick-off). Keith Andrews' team, who finished 9th in the Premier League last season with 53 points (14W-11D-13L), will use this penultimate friendly to fine-tune their conditioning before the new campaign.
What’s at stake for Brentford?
This clash offers a high-quality test against Franck Haise’s Rennes, who secured sixth in Ligue 1 and Europa League football last term. The French side’s attacking threat, led by 2025/26 Golden Boot winner Estéban Lepaul (21 goals), will challenge Brentford’s defensive shape. Lepaul’s +4.85 xG overperformance highlights his clinical finishing, a trait the Bees must nullify.
Key battles to watch
New Brentford signing Mamadou Sangaré, a club-record arrival from Lens, could face former teammate Adrien Thomasson. Thomasson, Ligue 1’s top assist provider (10) and key pass leader (81) last season, adds creativity to Rennes’ midfield. Sangaré, who topped the division for possessions won (207), will aim to disrupt his supply. Their duel promises intensity, with Rennes averaging 53% possession and 94 build-up attacks in 2025/26.
How does this fit into Brentford’s plans?
With their last result a 1-1 draw at Liverpool (24 May 2026) and recent form reading DDDLL, Brentford will use this game to sharpen their press and transitional play. Rennes’ 4-3-3 system and one-on-one battles align with the conditioning demands of Premier League football. Next up after this: a trip to Manchester United on 28 November 2026.
