We have already mentioned several times on these pages how Lille has been the surprise package of this Ligue 1 campaign so it only felt right to take a more detailed look at their final match of the current season. On Friday they travel to Rennes looking to end the season with another three points in the bank, having already made sure of second spot.
- Rennes is unbeaten in its last three home matches in Ligue 1.
- Lille is unbeaten in its last 11 league matches away from home.
- Lille has won 10 of the last 27 meetings between these teams.
Rennes will put up a fight
Rennes has, on paper at least, one of the strongest teams in France, but a lack of consistency has really held them back over the last few months. The side has won just one of its last five league matches and sits in 10th place, but the frustrating thing for fans is that they could be so much higher up the table after beating PSG in the cup final and showing what they are capable of.
Lille, meanwhile, has enjoyed an excellent campaign, and the cherry on the cake has been seeing them come out of their shell in an attacking sense over the last few weeks or so. As well as that 5-1 thrashing of PSG, they also put five past Angers last week with no reply.
And while the betting is close, it is Lille that comes into this match as the slight favorite to claim all three points. You can back the visitors to win at +137 while Rennes, despite home advantage, is slightly higher at +180. A draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at +250.
Lille to record narrow win in hard-fought match
While we are expecting this to be a closely fought affair between two evenly matched teams, we are expecting Lille’s excellent recent form to continue and conclude the season. It is not easy trying to predict the score in a football match, but a narrow 2-1 victory for the away side comes in at +850 and may well be worth backing when you consider the recent form of both these sides.
Such a result would then also allow you to back OVER 2.5 goals in the game, which is priced short at just -175, as well as both teams to score, which is at even lower odds of -200. Therefore, in an attempt to boost any possible winnings from this clash, you may wish to consider combo betting, which allows you to select multiple outcomes at higher odds.
For example, a combo bet of a Lille win, coupled with both teams to score, is at the much higher price of +300, while an away victory and OVER 2.5 goals in the game is at +240. You may also bet on the total number of goals in the game, with UNDER two out at +350, two or three dropping down to +110 and OVER three goals in the match rising slightly to +150.
Could we see a fast start?
With both sides keen to end the season on a high, we are expecting a rapid start to this match with Rennes and Lille both looking to exert themselves from the very first whistle. It may therefore be a good idea to back OVER 0.5 goals in the first 10 minutes, while both teams come in at +750 to be ahead by the end of that time period.
As previously mentioned, this should be a close game and evenly matched. Lille may well have to win this one coming from behind, something they are priced at +800 to do.
In terms of goalscorers, Lille’s Nicolas Pepe will be keen to keep his form going right until the end of the campaign. You can back the young striker to score at any time at +120, while he is at +450 to score either the first or the last goal of the game.
