Fenerbahce – Rennes : Preview & Prediction
Tied on ten points, it has been a remarkable UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign for both Fenerbahçe and Rennes, who meet here after securing their places in the top two of Group B. However, this match will have reasons to fight for, as the group winner heads straight to the Round of 16, while the runner-up must face a third-place finisher from the Champions League. The Turkish side will be hoping to take a big step towards top spot, given that they come into this match having won nine of their last ten official home matches (E1), two of which came in this competition.
Fenerbahçe’s win over İstanbul Başakşehir over the weekend served to maintain their place at the top of the Süper Lig standings, although they left the task to the last minute, scoring the only goal of the clash in the 84th minute. That was the first time in ten official home appearances that they failed to score more than two goals, but having converted more than once in their last six UEL matches (G5, E1), home fans will be hoping to see Fenerbahçe return to their best attacking form this time around.
Rennes sit inside the top four in Ligue 1 and travel east in good form, winning each of their last six official matches. Like the home side, they left things late at the weekend, scoring a stoppage-time penalty to seal a 2-1 win at home to Angers, meaning they have now managed to score at least one goal after 75 minutes in four of their last five matches.
The spoils were shared when these two clubs last met on matchday two (2-2), but the visitors will be looking for revenge given that they squandered a 2-0 lead in that encounter. However, Rennes’ away record in this competition is not very good, with eight defeats in their last 11 away matches in the group stage (G3), although they could win a third straight UEL clash here for the first time – each of the last two were by a one-goal margin.
Players to watch: Fenerbahce’s Diego Rossi has yet to score in this season’s UEL, though he has two goals in his last two appearances, both in the last ten minutes of their respective clash. Rennes’ Benjamin Bourigeaud has two assists in his last two games and also comes into this matchday having collected more corner kicks than any other player in the competition (18).
Key stat: Before Matchday 5, Fenerbahçe have committed more fouls in the UEL than any other team (67).
Fenerbahce – Rennes : Betting Tips
Fenerbahce – Win Odds: 2.25
