Lille vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2026-01-02 20:05.
[p]Both Lille and Rennes ended 2025 on a high and will now kick off their respective 2026 schedule with a tussle for the European places in Ligue 1’s top six. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Lille ended 2025 in fine fashion as they secured a fourth straight league win to keep them within the top four and also just five points behind their bitter rivals and league leaders, Lens. Currently sitting on a higher points tally than at this stage of ten of their last 11 Ligue 1 seasons, Lille will have a tough task on their hands as they continue to fight on multiple fronts, domestically and in Europe, heading into 2026. Cup competitions add an extra three games to Lille’s stacked January, which begins with the Mastiffs bidding for a sixth straight competitive home win, with three of the last four accompanied by a clean sheet.[/p]
[p]Sitting five points behind their hosts, Rennes will make the gruelling journey north east knowing anything short of victory could see their grip on a European place loosen significantly. Rennes could enjoy Christmas within the top six thanks to their blistering form which saw them win five of the last six league games leading into the winter break (L1), leaving them at least ten points better off than at this stage in the last two campaigns. A positive record against sides sitting above themselves (W2, D1, L1) suggests Rennes could build on that here, but confidence is quickly tempered by the fact Rennes haven’t beaten any of the pre-round top 13 on the road this season (D2, L2). [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Lille are unbeaten in the last 12 H2Hs (W6, D6). Bruno Génésio was in charge of Lille for the most recent two which ended in wins to nil, but he has lost three of his last six personal encounters.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Lille have won eight of their nine Ligue 1 games when scoring first this season (D1). [/p]
[p]There have been seven red cards shown across Lille’s last five competitive matches. [/p]
[p]Rennes have conceded 12 of their 16 away league goals this season after half-time. [/p]
[p]Rennes have avoided defeat in half of the league games in which they conceded first (W2, D1, L3). [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Hákon Haraldsson could secure his best scoring league season with one more strike for Lille (G5) and he often is active early on, scoring first in the opening ten minutes with three of his last four competitive goals. Rennes’ Estéban Lepaul leads the way for Rennes with nine league goals, while all four of his away strikes came in games which ended level. [/p]
[p]Lille will be without Romain Perraud who will serve the second of his two-game ban, while Rennes appear to have no fresh injury concerns. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]We’re backing Rennes to continue to upset the odds with a selection on a Rennes/draw in the double chance market. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Matthew Billon[/i][/p]