UEFA Europa League: Atlético Madrid v Rennes Odds and Betting Preview

MADRID, SPAIN - Atletico Madrid are amongst the favourites to win the UEFA Europa League this season, and they look set to cap off a great Group I campaign with a win against French side Rennes.

Atletico are priced up at 4/9 with Paddy Power and bet365, making them overwhelming favourites to grab the three points. A draw is on offer at 10/3 with Stan James, whilst a shock away win for Rennes could had Udinese a chance to top Group I, but it looks unlikely at 7/1 with Coral.

Los Colchoneros has a week to forget last week, crashing out of the Copa Del Rey before succumbing to a 4-2 defeat at Espanyol. The weekend defeat in La Liga means that Atletico are now down to 10th spot in the league, and if things continue in the same way next year then they could find themselves with an uphill climb just to qualify for the Europa League next season. The 2010 UEFA Cup winners do however look in good shape on the European stage, having won their four games at home this season, and keeping clean sheets in three of those.

Rennes were done no favours by a tough draw in Group I, but even so they have been bitterly disappointing in the Europa League this season and now find themselves with nothing to play for, having drawn three and lost two of their five games. Frédéric Antonetti will have a tough time motivating his troops for the trip to Madrid when his side are flying in Ligue 1, as Les Rouge et Noir are in fifth spot, just three points behind Lyon. Certainly Sunday’s match against Ajaccio in Corsica is more important that this one, where fans will be banking on three easy points against the relegation fodder.

In the correct score betting, 2-0 and 1-0 home wins are trading at 5/1 and 6/1 respectively with bet365, who will refund losing correct score bets if the match finishes 0-0. 3-0 and 3-1 to Atletico are at 9/1 and 11/1 with Paddy Power, whilst 4-0 to the Spanish side could be interesting if Antonetti plays a weak side at 18/1 with Coral. Rennes have been poor on their travels this season, but a 1-0 win would help team morale at 17/1 with Paddy Power and a 1-1 draw would be something to take back to Brittany at 8/1 with William Hill.

Punters are advised to wait until the starting XIs are released by UEFA until having a bet on the first goalscorer market, but Falcao will be many people’s idea of the best bet of the night at 10/3 with Sporting Bet and bwin. Since he has returned from injury he has been electric, and he has a formidable Europa League record with 19 goals in as many games. Spanish striker Adrian Lopez is another to consider at 9/2 with Boylesports, as he has five goals in nine European matches. Diego has plenty of experience in Europe and could appeal at 6/1 with bet365 to find the net first, whilst Rennes will be relying on

Rennes’ star payer M’Vila has made the trip but will start on the bench. The Ligue 1 outfit will be looking to Montano for goals, and he can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to score first. Brahimi should also start and is at 16/1 with the same firm, whilst Nigerian international Onyekachi Apam makes his first start for Rennes tonight and is at 80/1 to be the first goalscorer with bet365.

Atletico are 11/10 with Boylesports and Paddy Power to lead the match at both half-time and full-time, whilst over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/5 with Sporting Bet.

Finally Falcao can be supported at 5/1 with Sporting Bet to score two or more goals in the game.

Kick-off is at 9.05pm local time on Thursday 15 December, which is 8.05pm in the UK.

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