Prediction: Rennes vs AC Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to officially punch their Europa League quarter-final ticket on Thursday evening, AC Milan will make the trip to Rennes.

Rennes

Starting with the hosts, slumping to a routine 3-0 drumming when they travelled to the San Siro on first-leg duties last week, Rennes are seeking a Europa League miracle here. However, although Julien Stephan’s side might have been disappointed by a nightmare display on foreign soil, the Brittany-based outfit came roaring back over the weekend. Picking up some perfect momentum as they claimed a 3-1 victory at home against Clermont, the former Strasbourg has seen his squad enjoy a real flurry over the past couple of months. In fact, aside from their first-leg defeat in Milan last week, Rennes have won all of their other nine appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 17th. Simply looking to put in an improved performance on Thursday evening, Stephan’s side have continued to shine with their performances on home soil. Rennes have won all of their last four domestic showdowns at Roazhon Park.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Rennes will be without the duo of Fabian Rieder and Enzo Le Fee on Thursday evening. Continuing to shine since breaking into Stephan’s first-team picture this season, 18-year-old Desire Doue should be handed a full recall at Roazhon Park.

Bagging a brace against Clermont over the weekend and now registering six goals in as many appearances across all competitions, former Lyon ace Martin Terrier will spearhead Stephan’s charge here. Despite serving a domestic suspension on Sunday, 22-year-old Arnaud Kalimuendo should partner Terrier in the final third.

AC Milan

As for the visitors, putting in a rampant performance last week as they stormed their way to a 3-0 first-leg victory, AC Milan will be looking to punch their quarter-final ticker with a flurry here. However, failing to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend as they eventually slumped to an action-packed 4-2 defeat at the hands of Monza, the Italian heavyweights are seeking an immediate response on Thursday evening. Nevertheless, losing just a pair of their previous 14 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 9th – AC Milan have gained a reputation for their clinical displays in the final third. Including a domestic statement last month as they claimed a 3-1 victory against historic rivals Roma, Pioli’s side have notched at least a pair of goals in all bar one of their last seven showdowns.

Team News

Dealing with an extended muscle injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since December 22nd, AC Milan will once again be without England international Fikayo Tomori on Thursday evening. The likes of Davide Calabria, Mattia Caldara and Pierre Kalulu will not travel to Brittany in midweek.

While former Fiorentina striker Luka Jovic must be set to serve a domestic suspension, the 26-year-old is free to feature here. Bagging a stellar Europa League brace against Rennes last week and now recording five goals in as many appearances across all competitions, ex-Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek could play a leading role here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Rennes and AC Milan met for their first-leg meeting at the San Siro last week, the Italian giants picked up a 3-0 romp.
• However, aside from that defeat in Milan, Rennes have won all of their other nine appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts have also won all of their last four domestic appearances in front of their own supporters.
• AC Milan have bagged at least a pair of goals in six of their previous seven appearances across all formats.
• Eight of AC Milan’s last nine appearances away from the San Siro have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Slumping to a nightmare 3-0 drumming at the San Siro last week, Rennes will simply be looking to put in an improved performance here. Nevertheless, winning all of their other nine appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s hosts will be looking to test an AC Milan defence that have shown some extended issues on the road. It should be highlighted, with the Italian icons remarkably seeing all of their previous nine contests away from the San Siro finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet