Rennes vs Celtic
Europa League Group E
5:55pm Thursday 19th September
Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
Rennes head trainer Julien Stephan believes because he warned his team that getting from the team would be harder than last 34, Celtic are extremely near Europa League competitions Lazio’s normal.
Celtic kick their group campaign in Brittany on Thursday while their Champions League conquerors, Cluj, take about the Italians.
Rennes reached the last 16 final season, behind Dinamo Kiev and finishing ahead of Astana and Jablonec , prior to beating Real Betis and losing to Arsenal.
But Stephan explained:”It will be completely different set from last year, we think it’s a more powerful group. They are used to winning national titles, every year nearly, they’ve won eight titles in a row.
“They are a group that are generally at the Champions League and they’ve got huge experience with many internationals.
“We know they can play in the air and they’re extremely technical. They’re a very, very good team and also possess specialized players like (Callum) McGregor, (Ryan) Christie, (James) Forrest, merely to mention a few.
“They’re nicely balanced and we understand how difficult it will be but we are lucky to play at house and the fans are going to play a major part in a possible win for us.
“I really do believe Celtic are among the favorites. As far as experience they should be in a position to perform well, perhaps just behind Lazio.”
Stephan has dropped half of their group which won the French Cup but Rennes sit second in the table after beating leaders Paris Saint-Germain during their five games.
“it is a new team, a new year, there’s a new story to be told and we need to build a story with a brand new group,” he said. “We can not compare this year with last year, last year’s history.
“We are in the process of fixing and the group is slowly evolving. We’ve had an excellent beginning in the league and we will need to bring it into Europe.”
After sustaining a head injury from 16, christopher Jullien was declared fit to your match.
The Frenchman clashed with demanded medical care and Marios Ogkmpoe before he was forced off.
If Neil Lennon chooses to rest Jullien hatem Abd Elhamed is compelling to get a beginning, however, Leigh Griffiths did not journey after picking up a marathon knock.
Rennes are winless in each of their meetings at home, drawing 1-1 with Celtic and losing 1-3 away from the 2011-12 Europa League group stages.
Celtic are winless in their last seven off European games against French resistance (D2 L5) since hammering Nantes 3-1 in the 1966-67 European Cup last 16, en route to winning the trophy.
Including qualifiers, Rennes have lost just one of their last 15 home games in European competitors (W8 D6), going down 1-2 against Dynamo Kiev in last year’s Europa League group phase.
Back in Champions League and Europa League matches united, Celtic have won only three of their 45 away group stage games (W3 D11 L31), together with a few of the victories coming from last season’s competition (1-0 in Rosenborg).
Celtic’s James Forrest has played this season, including in both legs of the Europa League qualifying victory against AIK.
Rennes have begun well in Ligue 1. I am hoping that M’Baye Niang won’t play. He is lightning quick, nearly a version of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. These guys can move and play, and that’s what Celtic struggle against.
Celtic is going to be good on the counter-attack, but their reputation is obviously exactly the same. They get scared when they venture away from your home. They do not know where to pitch their defence and if to play a game or not.
They will have players that are technically gifted and pace out wide, where they’ll look to utilize. Celtic nevertheless have traumas that are defensive and won’t endanger here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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