Celtic have advanced to the knockout stage of the Europa League, now Neil Lennon and company are aiming to win the group.
Rennes, on the other hand, have been eliminated from qualifying for the round of 32. The French side reached the last 16 of the Europa League in 2018-19 before Arsenal eliminated them. This season’s journey in the tournament hasn’t gone as well but they can play spoilers to Celtic winning the group.
Celtic have taken 10 points from 12 possible in Group E with their only slip-up coming against Rennes on matchday 1. Since then, Celtic have won three straight matches including a dramatic late victory against Lazio in Rome on matchday 4.
The Hoops are on a seven-match winning streak in all competitions. Five of those seven games saw Celtic win to nil. Celtic have scored an unreal 43 goals at home this term for an average of 3.31 strikes per game in all competitions. Meanwhile, they have conceded a mere eight goals at home.
Rennes have won just twice in their last 13 matches in all competitions. It has been an awful run of form with the French team claiming just four victories in all competitions this term.
The French club have a –1-goal difference in all competitions and have struggled to get goals. Just 19 have been tallied across all leagues and tournaments.
The last time these teams met in September, the match finished 1-1 with both sides scoring from the penalty spot. Mbaye Niang scored in the first half for Rennes while Ryan Christie tallied from the spot in the second for Celtic.
The game in France was evenly matches with Celtic outshooting Rennes 8-7 and both teams tallying two shots on target. Rennes held more possession with 52%.
Celtic are led in goals by Odsonne Edouard with 13 goals in all competitions. James Forest and Christie have combined for 26 goals apiece. Niang has tallied six goals for Rennes this term while Adrien Hunou has bagged four.
In recent days, Lennon has spoken about Leigh Griffiths emulating his best for the club. Griffiths has two goals in four matches in the Scottish Premiership but could play a big part on Thursday night at Celtic Park.
The two clubs were evenly matched in their first match in France. It should be very similar when they play at Celtic Park on Thursday night. Nothing will be able to separate the two sides as they finish 1-1 and Celtic take a step closer to the round of 32.