- Sturm Graz form: Sturm Graz have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 competitive matches.
- Stade Rennes form: Stade Rennes FC have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 competitive games.
- Rennes away form: Stade Rennes FC have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 3 competitive away games this season, conceding 6 goals.
Even odds on the draw appeals most in Austria
Stade Rennes FC's form, the lack of head-to-head history between the clubs and the lack of significance to the match leads us to the conclusion that the oddsmakers have this one about right. Rennes are the favorites at 1.9 and SK Sturm Graz are 3.6 with the draw set at 3.75.
A draw would keep things tight, but we'll have a flutter on the visitors because of their current three-game winning streak and the fact that Graz suffered a setback in their previous away game.
Fabio Ingolitsch's men have answered well to that disappointment, responding with a 4-1 win over Voitsberg followed by a 2-1 home win against LASK Linz, but they will be up against a solid and well-disciplined Stade Rennes team on Wednesday. Franck Haise has his players organised in a 3-back shape with wing-backs, they are compact, they press as a unit and their play has been very structured.
Graz can get into Rennes’ defense if they play at their pace
Tactical approach
Graz have a touch of flair and energy about them and Ingolitsch has them pressing aggressively and making good breaks on the counter attack. But they are thin in the midfield and it will be up to the forwards and wing-backs to provide the necessary width on Wednesday.
Form and betting angle
- Sturm Graz have a good home record so far this season, winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 1 of their 4 games at Graz-Liebenau, and have conceded only 3 goals in those contests.
- Rennes have been more liberal on the road, conceding 6 goals in their 3 competitive games away from Roazhon Park and that's one of the reasons why we'll take the Austrian side to nick this.
- A BTTS bet also appeals in this spot as Rennes' structured pressing and compact nature should blunt the Graz counter attack, but the hosts high tempo and pressing could also lead to turnovers for Les Rouge et Noir in what looks to be a close European chess match.
Player to watch
Esteban Lepaul has been Rennes' most consistent danger man, scoring 4 of their 8 goals over the last 5 games, so he will be the man to watch for both an anytime goal and a goal at any time.
