Lille vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-09 16:05.
[p]One of the most decisive matches of the 25th round in terms of deciding the several clubs that France will send into UEFA competition next season will see Lille host Rennes in the next chapter of a matchup that has seen some tight contests in recent years. Lille might be undefeated across their last nine meetings with Rennes, but they have had to settle for five draws and three single-goal margins wins along the way.[/p]
[p]It has been pleasant and relaxing viewing for season ticket holders at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in recent weeks, who in their last five Ligue 1 home games have been treated to 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 and 2-0 wins as well as an important 1-1 draw with league leaders PSG that kept them in fourth place heading into this round, one point behind the final Champions League group stage berth for next season.[/p]
[p]Rennes are still within reach of the European placings but can ill afford a repeat of last round’s 2-1 loss at home to Lorient, which followed their own 1-1 draw against PSG. That’s in part because they have struggled right throughout the season to defeat the opponents they need to leapfrog to return to UEFA competition, claiming just one win from nine Ligue 1 games (D4, L4) against teams starting this round above them.[/p]
[p]Head coach Julien Stéphan insists he has “never talked about Europe” given his side had just 12 points after the first 12 rounds, but there’s still reason to believe after his players picked up 11 of a possible 15 points from their last five Ligue 1 trips (W3, D2), which is amongst the best in the league! For that they can thank a defensive unit that has conceded just one first-half goal across those five matches, setting them up nicely for success.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: It’s hard to look past Jonathan David after his midweek brace in Austria, especially as he also scored in each of Lille’s last five Ligue 1 home games, opening their account four times in that period. Rennes midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud has notched up five goals and two assists across his last four competitive appearances and was on the scoresheet in three of his last five games against Lille.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lille have conceded the opening goal of the match on the fewest occasions (four; D2, L2) of all clubs this Ligue 1 season.[/p]