Olympiacos have been one of the early pacesetters in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) and will now look to make a piece of club history when they make their second visit to France this season to take on Rennes.
Match News and Current Form
A comprehensive 5-2 defeat to Nice on Friday means that Rennes have won just one of their last four games in all competitions (D1, L2) since coming from behind to beat OFI Crete on matchday two of the league phase. Franck Haise’s side are unbeaten in the UEL this term (W1, D2) and secured an eye-catching 2-2 draw with European giants Juventus last time out, giving them the chance to provisionally move into the top-eight with this game kicking off over 24 hours before every other on matchday four. And Rennes will fancy their chances having gone unbeaten at home since March (W8, D2), while they’ve won five of their last six UEL home games (L1), scoring 2+ goals in all six matches.
Olympiacos are one of five teams who begin UEL matchday four with a 100% record, with their three wins all coming by one-goal margins having netted just four times in total. The Red-Whites were narrow winners again at the weekend for a ninth successive victory across all competitions, and history awaits them here as they could open a major European campaign with four successive wins for the first time ever. Supporters would be forgiven for expecting such an outcome given that Olympiacos have won five successive away matches and kept four clean sheets in the process, while they’re unbeaten in ten UEL league phase games (W7, D3).
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first-ever H2H. Rennes have won their last three meetings with Greek teams, while Olympiacos’ win away at Marseille in the league phase ended a four-match losing streak against French opponents.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only three sides have taken more shots than Rennes (60) in the UEL league phase this term.
Nine of Rennes’ last ten home European games saw both teams score.
Olympiacos have picked up exactly two yellow cards in each of their UEL fixtures this season.
None of Olympiacos’ last eight UEL away games saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Mahamadou Nagida has provided an assist before half-time in Rennes’ last two Ligue 1 games, while all three of his goals for them were the second of the game, including in their last UEL home game. Chiquinho has four goal involvements in his last three away appearances (G1, A3), including an assist for the decisive goal at Marseille on matchday two.
Brice Samba missed Rennes’ last game, while Olympiacos look to have no fresh issues.
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Betting Analysis
This is a tough one to call, but the visitors’ incredible form makes Olympiacos/Draw double chance a good option.
Author: Tom Penn