- Recent form: OFI have won three of their last five matches and lost only one, while Rennes have won two of their last five, drawn one and lost two.
- Away form: OFI have won one and lost one of their two away games so far, so the away win has its merits.
- Scoring: Rennes have scored six goals in their last five, but OFI are the more likely winners and should have the bigger knife in the final third.
Back OFI for the away victory in France
OFI FC can nick this one and they arrive on Thursday with the momentum to do so. The visitors, who beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 2-0 in the UEFA Europa League, travel to Roazhon Park in eighth place in the table on three points from one game – nine places and two points above 17th-placed Rennes, who have one point from one game.
Christos Kontis' men are playing a compact, well-organised brand of soccer with his wing-backs doing a good job of holding the fort while their midfielders make the runs in behind.
OFI have a bit of an edge on the counter as well, and Borja Gonzalez has been a creative spark in their early Europa League games with one assist in one.
The visitors should get some joy against the wing-backs of Franck Haise's high-intensity 3-at-the-back setup, which is designed around pressing and vertical play. But there is a slight edge to OFI in this matchup because Rennes are a little bit all over the place right now.
Rennes still a little all over the place
Form and home record
Les Rouges et Noirs come into this off a 4-1 home win over A.J. Auxerre following a 1-0 defeat away to Stade Laval, so form isn't strong enough to back them in this spot. Rennes have won each of their home games, but they are yet to find a winning streak of any description and look vulnerable to the counterattacking style of OFI.
Players to watch
- Adrien Thomasson has scored two goals in Rennes' last five, but he is their best chance to come on late and snag a goal in the second half from midfield.
- Aitor Cantalapiedra is OFI's top scorer in this competition with one goal in one match and he will travel to France with some confidence.
Betting angles
An away victory is priced at 1.24, which looks a decent bet here because OFI are the sharper side at the moment. Over 2.5 goals is also favored at 1.5, so this game should open up after the first transition and set-piece.
Both Teams to Score – No is a good play at 1.8 because Rennes just can't be trusted to get the better of a well-organised side like OFI, and neither team will have enough to get two goals past the keeper.
