Of course, the Rennes head coach’s focus would be to restore this solidity in their defence, and they will not keep winning matches on the 11th tour.
Won four, from last five home matches
Lille snapped a three-match Ligue 1 losing streak with a win last time out, as they look to stay in the top four. Just two points separate teams from fourth to ninth, but Lille’s impressive home form could prove the difference, with 26 of their 34 points coming here. Either way, this could be a close encounter, as five of the nine winners in Lille’s Ligue 1 home matches have arrived via a single-goal margin. Furthermore, Lille is without a draw in nine Ligue 1 games, a run that saw six fixtures finish via a single-goal margin, and four ends 1-0.
Rennes will release some of the pressure at Lille
Rennes have seven wins from their last nine Ligue 1 matches and appear to follow a ‘late action’ blueprint. The visitors have witnessed 26 percent of their total match goals (scored/conceded). This league campaign arrives beyond the 80th minute (13/50). Subsequently, Rennes have kept 17 Ligue 1 first-half clean sheets, with 11 of their last 18 Ligue 1 matches remaining goalless at half-time, including the previous six. The visitors have also exhibited an affinity to tight games – 16 of Rennes’ 18 Ligue 1 matches (seven of eight on the road) to see a single goal decided a winner. Furthermore, five of Rennes’ last seven Ligue 1 games to see a winner ended via a 1-0 scoreline either way.
Will not play
From Lille: Yazici – Knee injury; Questionable: Agouzoul – Injury, Bradaric – Ankle injury, Weah – Muscle injury.
From Rennes: Martin – Thigh injury; Questionable: Grenier – Muscle injury, Guclu – Hip injury, Johansson – Knee injury, Morel – Muscle injury, N’Zonzi – Illness, Nyamsi – Thigh injury.
Players to watch
Victor Osimhen has been Lille’s final scorer with his last five Ligue 1 strikes, while Raphinha did the same for Rennes in three of the four Ligue 1 matches in which he’s found the net.
Stat attack: Lille has conceded 3.3 corners per game across their last ten Ligue 1 home matches.
Lille have scored seven of their 26 Ligue 1 goals beyond the 75th minute.
Rennes retrieved points in six of the ten Ligue 1 matches in which they conceded first.