Villarreal vs Rennes prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-04 19:00.
Villarreal’s return to UEFA Europa League (UEL) action this season means they have featured in all three of UEFA’s premier competitions across the last three seasons. It wasn’t a happy return to the continent’s second-tier tournament, however, as they suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat away at Greek outfit Panathinaikos on matchday one. Three winless domestic fixtures since (D2, L1) portrays the Yellow Submarine as somewhat of a sinking vessel.
But in truth, things perhaps aren’t as bleak as they seem and in fact, manager Pacheta was left full of pride for his side following their latest 0-0 draw with Getafe, not least because they played out over an hour of that game with ten men. He’ll hope for more of that bravery and determination here as Villarreal look to end a losing run against French opponents stretching four matches – two of which came here at Estadi de la CerĂ mica.
It was a different story for Rennes who sit atop Group F at this early stage after defeating Maccabi Haifa 3-0. They’ll be hoping that can be the platform in which to repeat last year’s undefeated run in the group stage of this competition (W3, D3) which ensured safe passage to the knockout phase. That run also contributed to a respectable record of five away European group stage matches without tasting defeat for the French outfit (W4, D1 – excluding a 2021 walkover against Tottenham).
Rennes should be confident that they can build on that given the overall form they boast heading to Spain. Two undefeated domestic matches (W1, D1) since the win against Maccabi has continued their impressive undefeated competitive start to the new campaign (W3, D5), with the most recent result in that run a comfortable 3-1 home win over Nantes this past weekend.
Key battle: Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Rennes’ shot-stopper Steve Mandanda have faced each other on six occasions in Europe, with Reina (5) conceding less than half the number of goals Mandanda has (12) and coming out on top in five of the meetings (L1).
Hot stat: Only Marseille attempted more UEL shots on target than Rennes on matchday one (11).