Rennes vs Lille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-09-15 15:00.
Optimism has steadily faded for Rennes since their impressive 5-1 win against Metz to open their Ligue 1 season, as they’ve drawn each of their following three league matches, thus dropping from top of the table to seventh spot ahead of this round. Coach Bruno Génésio lamented that he had “focused excessively on the defensive aspect” after their goalless draw at Brest before the international break, with his team generating a measly xG of less than 0.3.
Génésio's team will look to respond with their sixth victory in seven Ligue 1 matches at Roazhon Park (D1), though they will have to do so without their forward Arnaud Kalimuendo due to a thigh injury. Lille represent tough opposition to this record too, as each of Rennes’ last three home league defeats came against sides that finished in last season’s top-five, including a 3-1 H2H defeat in February.
Visiting Lille may have suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to Lorient three weeks ago, but they responded well by defeating Montpellier 1-0 in the following game, going into the international break with a one-point lead over Rennes. After the game, coach Paulo Fonseca praised his team's ability to "hold tight", particularly after Yusuf Yazıcı scored Ligue 1's quickest goal of the season, a direct free-kick in the second minute.
Improvement is badly needed on the road if the Mastiffs are to improve on last season's run to fifth spot, as they emerged victorious only once across their previous ten road trips in the top-flight (D5, L4)! The omens look good for Lille on the H2H front however, squaring off against a Rennes side they’ve avoided defeat in the previous eight meetings (W4, D4).
Players to watch: After scoring from the bench on his debut with Turkey last week, Rennes' new signing BertuÄź Yildirim warrants close attention in the absence of Kalimuendo. After being involved in all three of Lille's goals in their last H2H here (G1, A2), Edon Zhegrova could make headlines again after a nine-match drought in Ligue 1.
Hot stat: Just one of the previous 15 Ligue 1 H2Hs has featured a goalless first half.