Rennes vs Lille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-02-15 19:45.
[p]New Rennes boss Habib Beye has enjoyed a dream start to life at Roazhon Park, overseeing back-to-back victories to move five points clear of the relegation zone heading into this weekend’s fixtures. It’s the first time since February last year that Rennes have managed to win successive league fixtures, and with both those victories accompanied by a clean sheet, Beye will be looking to build on his side’s new-found solidity.[/p]
[p]There’s still plenty of work to be done, as Rennes’ measly 23 points at this stage is their lowest such figure since 2013/14 (also 23). The Red and Blacks will be confident of putting more daylight between themselves and the drop zone with another home fixture though, as a whopping 19 of their points this term have been won on their own turf (W6, D1, L4). [/p]
[p]Lille could make for the perfect visitors for Rennes, as they’re without an away league win since October (D4, L1). Those away day struggles have helped keep the Mastiffs out of the top three and the definite UEFA Champions League qualification spots, with their deficit standing at two points pre-round thanks to a shock 2-1 home defeat by relegation-threatened Le Havre.[/p]
[p]Despite their recent struggles on the road, Bruno Génésio’s men still boast the division’s tightest away defence, conceding just eight times in their ten such matches (W3, D5, L2). A return of just three clean sheets across the last 20 H2Hs with Rennes would suggest that they may struggle for another shutout here, but confidence should still be high as Lille are unbeaten against Rennes since 2019 (W5, D6).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Arnaud Kalimuendo’s goal for Rennes against St-Étienne means seven of his last nine strikes have served as the first or last of the game. Lille could hand a first start to new signing Chuba Akpom as they search for an away win – he has scored 11 of his last 12 goals after half-time, including one on debut against Le Havre.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rennes are one of only two teams in Ligue 1 who have a 100% losing record when trailing at the break ahead of the round (L8).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]