Rennes vs Lazio Predictions

• Rennes arrive knowing they will finish bottom of the group no matter what happens, having collected just 1 point from their 5 matches.
• Rennes have lost their last 4 games in the competition, conceding an average of 1.75 goals a game in the process.
• Lazio need to win in France and hope Cluj lose to Celtic in order to reach the last 16.
• The Italians have won their last 5 matches and travel in confident mood. 

Nothing on the line for Rennes

Having come into the group looking like having a reasonable chance of reaching the last 32, Rennes’ performances in the Europa League have been highly disappointing. After 5 matches, the French outfit have just 1 point to their name and have now lost their last 4 games in the competition.

Domestically, things are going significantly better for the hosts, currently 4th in Ligue 1 and for that exact reason, little importance is likely to be given to Thursday’s game and they could make numerous rotations to their team in it. Without a clean sheet in any of their 10 home matches this season, whatever side they field will have to try and tighten up defensively if they are to secure any kind of result

Lazio gunning for away win

Lazio’s performance in the Europa League have also been underwhelming. They came into this group as favourites to win it but have collected just 6 points, meaning they simply have to win on Thursday and help Celtic do them a favour by beating Romanians Cluj away from home.

Nonetheless, whilst they might have been struggling across all fronts earlier on in the campaign, Lazio are in excellent shape now and come into this game high on confidence. Indeed, the Italians have now won 8 of their last 9 matches, including each of the last 5 and that has their prospects looking bright as regards fulfilling their end of the bargain.

A Lazio win is likely

Ultimately, Lazio have to be fancied to win Thursday’s game and it’d be a big surprise if they were to slip up. The match is nothing more than a distraction for Rennes now and a weaker side than the visitors on paper, it’s hard to picture them providing any great resistance. 

As such, backing an away win looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and is something we’re more than happy to do. Lazio are in excellent shape and having won their last 3 away matches via a 2-1 margin, that’s a scoreline we fancy them to triumph by once again on Thursday.