- Stade Rennes FC have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches.
- SK Sturm Graz have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5.
- Stade Rennes FC have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 10 (all-competitions).
Both teams to score at Graz-Liebenau
Stade Rennes FC are the favourites to win the Group B opening match of the UEFA Europa League 2026-2027 at Graz-Liebenau this Wednesday night against SK Sturm Graz, and they have good reason to do so at 9/10.
Les Rouge et Noir are in good form, coming into this European fixture on the back of three straight victories, edging Le Mans 3-2, beating Angers 2-1 away and then shutting Marseille out 1-0.
Fabio Ingolitsch's Sturm Graz, meanwhile, are on a two-game winning run after they beat Voitsberg 4-1 away and LASK Linz 2-1 in Graz.
And neither of these two teams have a significant head-to-head history, so the market makes sense on the face of it.
Ingolitsch's men were on a solid run of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their previous five prior to their 3-1 reverse away to SK Rapid Wien, and quickly responded in the manner that is now typical of his high-energy and direct side. Graz are aggressive on the counter-attack, counter-pressing hard, and getting on the ball quickly in the number 10 area and in the channels.
Franck Haise has Rennes set up in a 3 at the back system with wing-backs and a compact block, but their ability to play with structure and press in unison could blunt the surge of Sturm's narrow midfield.
Sturm's tempo and intense style of Gegenpressing could cause Rennes to turn the ball over in possession, so this could be a tight chess match in Europe.
But Rennes are on a winning streak and that has to be factored in to the price, so we'll take the visitors with a lean on a BTTS selection.
Over 2.5 goals at 13/20 is also tempting, but BTTS looks the best option here with both sides looking to find the net in a highly competitive group-stage opener.
Sturm have a home advantage that looks genuine with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in 4 home matches in all competitions, conceding just 3 goals. Rennes have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1 of 3 away in all-competitions and conceded 6 goals in the process.
Esteban Lepaul has been a major danger man for Rennes of late, scoring 4 of their goals during their 5-game run.
