Sturm Graz will host Rennes at the Stadion Graz-Liebenau in their UEFA Europa League campaign opener on Wednesday. The hosts were eliminated from the group stage last season, while Les Rennais are back in a UEFA competition after two seasons.
Die Schwoazn registered a second consecutive win on Sunday, defeating LASK 2-1 at home in the Austrian Bundesliga. Gizo Mamageishvili gave them the lead in the 34th minute, and on-loan striker Oumar Diakité scored the match-winner in the 59th minute on his debut as a second-half substitute.
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The visitors have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their season. They extended their winning run to three games on Friday, defeating Marseille 1-0 in Ligue 1. Adrien Thomasson opened his goalscoring account for the club as he scored the match-winner in the 52nd minute.
Sturm Graz vs Rennes head-to-head stats and key numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- The hosts have met French teams six times, recording just one win. They have suffered four defeats, while drawing one.
- Les Rennais have squared off against Austrian teams four times, recording two wins, while suffering a defeat and playing out a draw.
- Sturm Graz kept clean sheets in two of their four home games in the league phase of the Europa League last season.
- Rennes have seen over 2.5 goals in nine of their last 10 games in the Europa League.
- Die Schwoazn have suffered just one defeat in five home games this season, with that defeat coming against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers last month.
- The visitors have scored at least two goals in three of their four competitive games this season.
Sturm Graz vs Rennes prediction
Die Schwoazn have lost just one of their last five games in all competitions, while recording three wins. Notably, they have failed to score in two of their last three home games in the league phase of the Europa League.
Seedy Jatta was injured and subbed off against LASK and will miss the next few games due to a shoulder injury. Emran Soglo has a muscle strain and is expected to return after the international break.
Les Rennais kept their first clean sheet of the season last week and will look to build on that defensive form here. They are winless in their two away meetings against Austrian teams, which is cause for concern.
Przemysław Frankowski picked up an injury against Marseille and will miss this match. He is expected to be the only absentee for the visitors.
The visitors have maintained an unbeaten record this season, and considering their goalscoring form in the four games thus far, we back them to secure a win.
Prediction: Sturm Graz 1-2 Rennes
Sturm Graz vs Rennes betting tips
Tip 1: Rennes to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score – Yes
Bold tip: Adrien Thomasson to score or assist anytime – Yes
Edited by Shubham Dupare