The 2018/19 Europa League has reached the business end of the competition and we have 32 teams remaining. On Thursday night, two of those teams meet at Roazhon Park and France’s Rennes host Spain’s Real Betis.
This is the furthest Rennes have ever progressed in the Europa League and they will be aiming to make more history by winning the tie. Real Betis have twice reached the Round of 16 in their history and will be hoping to go at least one better this season.
Rennes come into the match in good form having won 3-0 at home against St Etienne on the weekend in Ligue 1. That was their fourth win in five matches and their only defeat has come against high-flying Paris Saint-Germain.
Trends show Stade Rennais have been good at home recently and have remained undefeated in their last nine games in all competitions. There have been eight wins, one of which was via a penalty shootout and one draw which was 0-0 against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
Rennes came second in their Europa League group, having won three and lost three of their six matches. They won two of their three home games but tasted defeat at the hands of Dynamo Kiev, the strongest team in their group.
Real Betis have been inconsistent of late and they have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games in all competitions. While wins have not always been easy to come by, Real Betis have remained difficult to beat and have lost only four of their last eighteen matches in all competitions.
However, away form has not been great and trends show they have failed to win any of their last five on the road. That changes when you look at the Europa League this season and Real Betis have won one and drawn two of their three away matches, remaining unbeaten throughout the group stage.
They picked up a fantastic 2-1 win at AC Milan and that coupled with their home form was enough to see them top the group, ahead of Olympiakos who finished in second place, 2 points behind Real Betis.
Looking ahead to the team news and Rennes are without the injured trio of Jordan Siebatcheu, Romain Danzé and Abdoulaye Diallo. They also have doubts over Ramy Bensebaini, Jakob Johansson and James Lea Siliki.
Real Betis travel to France without the injured Cristian Tello and have doubts over Marc Bartra. Diego Lainez, Jesé Rodríguez and Emerson have all been added to the Europa League squad.
Rennes have been in good form recently but Real Betis have found the Europa League to their liking this season. An away win with both teams scoring would not be a surprise.