Rennes vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-09-20 17:00.
[p]There have been plenty of goals scored in Rennes’ Ligue 1 matches this term (W2, L2) but a few too many at the wrong end on the road (five in total) which has taken the gloss off of a pair of 3-0 home victories over Lyon and Montpellier respectively. Manager Julien Stéphan was happy that his side took the game against Montpellier “by the scruff of the neck” but admits he’s expecting a tougher fixture against Lens.[/p]
[p]As Rennes haven’t won a home H2H since Lens returned to the top flight in 2020 (D2, L2), and all four have been close affairs producing under 2.5 goals, this might be where the goal glut ends for the Red and Blacks. The last meeting, a 1-1 draw, was their last home game of the 2023/24 season, and it remains the only stalemate across their last 13 Ligue 1 games here (W7, L5).[/p]
[p]Lens have made an unbeaten start to their league campaign under new manager Will Still (W2, D2) but will be keen to regain some upward momentum following a drab 0-0 draw with Lyon last Sunday. There was positive news off the field this week as club president Joseph Oughourlian revealed the club is close to buying their home stadium for a fee in the region of €25 million.[/p]
[p]Their current run of three league away matches without defeat (W1, D2) began with that aforementioned 1-1 draw here at the end of last season and the Blood and Gold have scored exactly once in each of their last six Ligue 1 road games (W1, D2, L3), which sets them up to net in what would be a fifth straight away H2H.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo opened his account for this season against Montpellier and here he’ll be taking on his former club – his last three goals at this ground all came inside the first 35 minutes. Similarly, Lens’ forward Wesley SaĂŻd is also facing a former employer and five of his last seven goals in all competitions came before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of the last 14 H2Hs produced more than one first-half goal.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]