Rennes vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions

Tip Reasoning

• Shakhtar have lost just three of their last fourteen away games in the Europa League
• Rennes are unbeaten in their last eight European home games
• Rennes have won 12 of their 16 home games in all competitions this season, keeping clean sheets in each of their last three

Rennes’ home advantage

Rennes have been in impeccable form when playing at home this season, winning 12 of their 16 home games in all competitions, having scored an average of 2.31 goals per game and conceding just 0.77 in the league. On Thursday night they face a Shakhtar side who beat them last time out, a third defeat in a row for Les Rennais, but they managed to find a win in the lead up to Thursday with a 2-0 home win over Clermont.

Rennes’ home form certainly gives them an advantage going into this one, and with the backing of their fans behind them, they should continue their trend of going unbeaten in each of their last eight European home fixtures. A correct score prediction of 2-0 Rennes lines up nicely, with the hosts having kept clean sheets in their last three home wins.

Shakhtar’s impressive form

Shakhtar will go into this game with a lot of confidence following their victory over Rennes last time out, and having impressed both domestically where they have only lost one game this season, and in Europe with big results such as a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid and a 4-1 humbling of RB Leipzig.

This confidence, though, could be misplaced, with Rennes home form so impressive this season, they will be a completely different side mentally to the one Shakhtar beat just over a week ago, and given Rennes’ attacking proficiency – having failed to score only once all season – and defensive confidence, a prediction for Rennes to win looks good odds here, and backing them to qualify would also appeal.