Rennes Vs Lens
Rennes Vs Lens Sunday 8 August, 2021 – 12:00 (BST)
French Ligue 1
Pick: Both Teams NOT to Score
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 6 July 2021)
Preview: The teams in sixth and seventh place last season, respectively, kick-off their 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaigns against each other on Sunday, as Rennes seek to preserve their unbeaten record at Roazhon Park since the arrival of coach Bruno Genesio against RC Lens.
French Ligue 1 Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Rennes – Onwards and upwards under Genesio?
Les Rouge et Noir secured their fourth top-six finish in Ligue 1 across the past five seasons in 2020-21, but required a change of manager to inspire a late rally that culminated in them pipping Lens to sixth place. Former Lyon head coach Bruno Genesio arrived in March with the team winless in seven, before winning five of his first seven matches in charge to power Rennes back up the table.
Genesio holds a commendable record at the helm so far, recording six wins out of eleven (D2 L3). All three defeats, meanwhile, were away from home. Whereas here in Brittany, at Roazhon Park, the 2019 Coupe de France victors boast four wins – three of them being to nil – and a 1-1 draw with PSG. Not bad going at all. Their last such defeat coming against Nice all the way back in February.
The former Lyon manager also stands to benefit from the club retaining the services of some of its star performers. Jeremy Doku offered a perfect illustration of his capabilities out wide as a pacey winger at Euro 2020 while Eduardo Camavinga, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with his best years ahead of him, is also still around. They’ll be joined by the exciting addition of Ghanian Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Lens – Avoiding second season syndrome the aim?
Once a mainstay in France’s top division, RC Lens spent five successive seasons languishing in Ligue 2 before finally returning to Ligue 1 ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. But any preconceived notion that they would spend their first season back merely trying to keep their head above water was dispelled almost immediately, registering 13 of the first 21 points that went up for grabs.
A promising start to life back in the big time would prove no flash in the pan either. The Sang et Or produced some memorable performances, the majority of which on their travels. Franck Haise’s side stunned a depleted PSG second time out to claim a 1-0 home win, but victories away to Marseille, Monaco, Montpellier and Rennes, triumphing 2-0 at Roazhon Park before Christmas, really caught people’s attention.
Lens enjoyed a 13-game unbeaten period at one stage but appeared to run out of steam towards the end, picking up a solitary point in their final four encounters. Albeit that came from a creditable goalless stalemate with title-chasing Monaco. They had earned their dip in form by that stage, though would rue the fact it cost them a place in Europe, missing out on sixth-place at the expense of Rennes.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Rennes Vs Lens Betting Advice
Last season saw a newly promoted Lens register back-to-back clean sheets against Rennes, who after losing 2-0 on their own patch could only muster a goalless draw in the return fixture. Yet it was the former, Rennes, who exacted their revenge on the final day of the season as they pipped Lens to sixth-place, and thus claiming a spot in the inaugural UEFA Conference League.
Rennes Vs Lens – Key Facts:
- Lens (W1 D1) registered successive clean sheets against Rennes last season, meaning none of the past six Ligue 1 meetings has produced both teams scoring.
- Rennes did finish 2020-21 in imperious form at home, though, recording four wins out of five and keeping three clean sheets here at Roazhon Park.
- Lens were the architects of some of the biggest upsets in Ligue 1 last season, however, with wins on the road at Marseille, Monaco, Montpellier and Rennes.
With how these teams finished last season, it is the hosts who are expected to begin 2021-22 the brighter. Rennes won four (three to nil) and lost none of five Ligue 1 matches at Roazhon Park under Bruno Genesio, whereas Lens ended last term winless in four and without a goal in the last three. Goals could be in short supply then, especially with none of the past six Ligue 1 meetings seeing both teams score.
Best Betting Odds – Rennes Vs Lens
Rennes – Evens (Betway)
Draw – 12/5 (PaddyPower)
Lens – 27/10 (Betfair)
