Arsenal were stunned in the first-leg of this tie, as they lost 3-1 to the impressive Rennes in the Europa League Round of 16. The Gunners have plenty of work to do to progress to the quarters. You can bet on the game here.
The English side faced an almost similar situation in the Round of 32 where they lost 1-0 away from home to BATE Borisov but got the job done at home comfortably winning 3-0. However, Rennes will be no pushovers and the Gunners will have to deliver a near-faultless performance to edge the Frenchmen.
Rennes meanwhile will know that their 3-1 lead is a precarious one, having conceded an away goal to the much-fancied Gunners. However, they are in great form and followed up their impressive victory over Unai Emery’s side with another 3-1 win over Caen.
Can Emery turn this around and continue his own personal form in this competition?
Betting Preview
Arsenal have only lost three times at home all season in all competitions. The likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have already suffered defeat at the Emirates. Therefore, you can back a Home Win at odds of 1.30.
Six of Arsenal’s last ten home matches involved three or more goals. With an attack led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, this match will surely be a high scoring affair. So you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.50.
Rennes frequently struggle defensively away from home. They’ve kept just three clean sheets in their last 15 away games in all competitions. The hosts have failed to score only once in their last ten matches in all competitions. Rennes have scored in all but one of their last ten matches. Therefore Both Teams to Score looks promising at odds of 1.80.
Team news
Lacazette will be back for Arsenal after his suspension was cut short. Sokratis Papastathopoulos received a red card in the first leg so will definitely miss out this time. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still doubtful for the clash. Apart from the two, Arsenal are still without long term absentees Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding.
Rennes will be without Jordan Siebatcheu, Romain Danze, Abdoulaye Diallo, and Ludovic Baal.
Possible line-ups.
Arsenal: Cech; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Rennes: Koubek, Traore, Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini, Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Bourigeaud, Ben Arfa, Hunou