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Rennes open their UEFA Europa League account with a trip to Austrian Bundesliga giants Sturm Graz at Merkur Arena on Wednesday 16 September.
Die Schwoazn have made an impressive start to their domestic season, as have Rennes, who remain undefeated after four Ligue 1 rounds.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Sturm Graz vs Rennes key stats
- Sturm Graz have lost one of their last five league games (W3, D1).
- The Blacks are unbeaten on home turf in three consecutive outings.
- Rennes finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season.
- Les Rennais are undefeated in four Ligue 1 games (W3, D1).
Sturm Graz vs Rennes preview: Visitors continue unbeaten start to the season
Sturm Graz vs Rennes — Tale of the Tape
| Sturm Graz | vs | Rennes |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Position | 3rd |
| 11 | Points | 10 |
| 8 | Goals For | 8 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 9th |
Sturm Graz opened their season with a handsome win in the Champions League qualifiers over Hearts, but were immediately relegated to the Europa League after losing to Fenerbahce in the subsequent round.
On the domestic front, they have enjoyed a rather successful start after finishing second behind LASK last term. In fact, Sturm Graz beat LASK 2-1 in their previous outing.
The hosts have lost have lost only one game so far this season, their 3-1 away defeat to SK Rapid in their previous league trip.
Young forward Leon Grgic is Sturm Graz’s only absentee, while Rennes have no fresh injuries or suspensions to deal with.
Les Rennais return to Europa League proceedings following a two-year interval thanks to their sixth-placed finish last season.
Franck Haise’s men are one of the best-performing sides in the French top-flight this term, losing none of their four outings (W3, D1).
They recently beat Marseille, and held PSG to an opening day draw, highlighting their potential against top teams in high-profile encounters.
Sturm Graz vs Rennes form guide & betting tips
| Sturm Graz | vs | Rennes |
|---|---|---|
WDLWW |
Last five | LDWWW |
| 8 | Goals For | 6 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 9 |
WDLWW |
Last five competitive form | LDWWW |
Whispers predicts: Sturm Graz 1-2 Rennes
As per Bet365, at 9/10 (1.90), Rennes to win offers real value. The visitors are grand favourites to seal an away victory here, especially after their unbeaten start to the season.
Rennes’ last 11 away fixtures produced over 2.5 goals. Plus, four of Rennes’ last five European away games produced exactly three goals. Over 2.5 total goals at 7/10 (1.70) is a bet worth backing.
Esteban Lepaul has been Rennes’ talisman this season. Last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer, Lepaul has three to his name already this term, and could very well be the decisive player in this clash. Backing him as anytime goalscorer at 5/4 (2.25) carries weight.
Rennes to win at half-time at 17/11 (2.54) is of value, with the visitors leading at the break in three of their opening four games of the season, drawing the other one.
> Rennes to win at 9/10 (1.90) | Likelihood: Likely
> Over 2.5 total goals at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Esteban Lepaul as anytime goalscorer at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Rennes to win at half-time at 17/11 (2.54) | Likelihood: Likely