Rennes V Celtic
Thursday 19th September 2019 – 17:55 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League
Pick: Celtic or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 77/100
Bookmaker: MarathonBet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/20 | 9/4 | 51/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 17th September 2019 at 11:55)
Preview: In the Europa League last season, Celtic and Rennes would both progress out of their sections as runners-up before coming unstuck further down the line in the knockouts. So this a hugely significant match within the context of this group, between two sides genuinely believing they are capable of progressing once again. Roazhon Park, home of Rennes, is the venue for this opening Group E clash.
UEFA Europa League Betting – 22Bet
Rennes Preview – Last season’s Quarter-Finalists to open with win?
Good enough to reach the final eight of this competition last season, Rennes have earned another shot in the Europa League despite finishing down in 10th position in the 2018/19 French Ligue 1 – and it is thanks to their shock capture of the Coupe de France, defying the odds to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the final on penalties. They are available at 100/1 with Bet365 to win this competition.
Those odds are plenty big enough for a team which looked set to appear in last season’s semi-final only to capitulate against Arsenal, surrendering a 3-1 first-leg advantage. In truth, though, they were fortunate to even progress out of a weak-looking section, doing so with a mediocre record of W3 D0 L3. Their overall record at home, though, was strong: W3 D1 L1, though one clean sheet in said matches highlighted their defensive deficiencies. Four of their five home encounters produced both teams to score.
As for this season, victories in their opening three Ligue 1 fixtures – none more impressive than the one earned at home to PSG (2-1) – was certainly eye-catching, but their actual process has been incredibly poor (xGF:0.7 – xGA:1.5) and suggested they were extremely fortunate to collect maximum point from those first three engagements. It is little wonder, then, that the winning run didn’t last. Saturday’s goalless draw at Brest, in which they created chances equating to just 0.39xG, a second consecutive game without winning (D1 L1).
Celtic Preview – Scottish title holders primed for a result?
It felt like a good achievement at the time but, on reflection, it looks even better now. Celtic finishing second in a group containing Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, two clubs that are set to feature in the Champions League this season, looks all the impressive now. On that basis, The Hoops must seriously rate their chances of progressing from a section lacking the same calibre of opposition.
It wasn’t pretty at times last season, particularly away from home where they would collect only three points (W1 D0 L2) and were beaten by clear two-goal margins in their two toughest assignments, in Austria against FC Salzburg (3-1) and Germany versus RB Leipzig (2-0). Even so, the Scottish Premier League champions should be praised for their gutsy efforts overall – even if it did count for very little in the end, losing 3-0 on aggregate to Valencia in the first round of knockouts.
There should be no shortage of confidence flowing through their veins at the moment either, on the back of a typically strong start domestically. Saturday was more about the result than the performance, which wasn’t great to be honest, as Celtic maintained their 100% record in the Scottish Premier League by beating Hamilton 1-0 away. That was their third away league success of the campaign, having recorded earlier victories at Motherwell (2-5) and, of course, beating Rangers by two goals to nil in the Old Firm.
Rennes V Celtic Key Facts:
- Rennes have made a strong start in France’s Ligue 1 this season (W3 D1 L1), occuyping second spot in the standings.
- Celtic have been flawless so far in Scotland, winning all five games to sit top of the Premier League.
- Both these teams would finish last season’s Europa League group stage with identical records of W3 D0 L3.
Betting Summary
On the face of it, Rennes have made a very encouraging start to the season in France. Currently second in Ligue 1, they remain the only side to have inflicted defeat on champions PSG, winning 2-1 at home in Gameweek 2. The performances, however, have left a lot to be desired. That might explain the recent decline of their results, having failed to win their last two matches (D1 L1).
Not that anyone is all that surprised but Celtic have made an excellent start in Scotland, racking up five straight wins to assume top spot in the Scottish Premier League. Meanwhile, the performances in this same competition last season were solid enough, progressing from a tough group as runners-up despite falling to two defeats in their three away outings (W1 L2).
This does feel like a prime opportunity for Celtic to acquire some rare, and potentially crucial, away points facing a flawed opponent who kept just the one clean sheet in five European home games last season. The Hoops are 1/2 with BetVictor to score at least one goal on the night, but it could pay to put faith in Neil Lennon’s form side avoiding defeat.
