LIL vs REN Dream11 Prediction: In the opening round of fixtures for the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign, Lille play host to Rennes on Saturday. Lille finished fourth when the French football season was abruptly ended, while Rennes secured third spot and a route into the Champions League. Lille were enjoying a terrific spell of form before the coronavirus pandemic devastated the sporting landscape, and were ultimately forced to settle for a spot in the Europa League when the season was abruptly ended. They only suffered two home defeats during the 2019-20 campaign, but the Ligue 1 outfit suffered mixed fortunes in their recent pre-season friendlies. Meanwhile, Rennes ended their campaign in perfect fashion with a 5-0 drubbing of Montpellier prior to the shutdown, and even though Julien Stephan’s side only managed to pick up one win from their last four away from home, their total of 50 points from 28 matches was enough to see them pip their weekend opponents to the third and final Champions League spot.
Date: 23st August, Sunday
Time: 12:30am IST
Place: Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Form Guide:
LIL: L-L-W-L-W
REN: L-W-W-D-W
Head-to-head (last five meetings)
Lille- Won 2
Rennes- Won 2
Draw- 1
Lille Team News
Lille finished 4th last season and they have been one of the best improved French sides in recent years. However, Lille do tend to sell their best players and they have done so again with the impressive Victor Osimhen joining Napoli for 50m euros. Still the club have brought in 4 new players including Canadian Jonathan David from Gent for 30 million euros. Pre-season was underwhelming for the club with 3 defeats in their last four games. Though Lille were not always playing with their strongest side.
Injury update, unavailability:
Lille’s only injury concern at the minute is striker Timothy Weah, who is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Expected team changes:
Jonathan David could be partnered up top by another new arrival in Burak Yilmaz, with the veteran striker having recently joined from Besiktas.
LIL Playing 11 & Subs (probable)
Maignan; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Bradaric; Ikone, Andre, Sanches, Bamba; David, Yilmaz
Rennes Team News
Rennes big summer spending so far has been in bringing in Martin Terrier from Lyon for 12m euros. Rennes played six pre-season games with just 1 defeat although the loss came in their last game when they went down 3-2 at Nice. They have recorded some good wins though including beating Saint Etienne 3-0 and Brest away 2-1. Last season the club upped the stakes and finished the season in 3rd place and much will be expected of them this season.
Injury update, unavailability
Rennes has a relatively clean bill of health for the opening-day showdown with Lille.
Expected team changes
They have a highly-rated protege of their own in Eduardo Camavinga, who has been frequently linked with a move to Real Madrid, but the 17-year-old is still among the ranks at Rennes and could start here.
REN Playing 11 & Subs (probable)
Mendy; Traore, Da Silva, Aguerd, Maouassa; Camavinga, Bourigeaud, Martin; Raphinha, Niang, Terrier
Let’s take a look at the dream 11 prediction for today’s football match
Goalkeeper: Mendy
Defenders: Botman, Fonte, Bradaric
Midfielders: Bourigeaud, Sanches, Andre, Ikone
Forwards: Terrier, Niang, Yilmaz
Jonathan Ikone: The Lille winger has pace, creativity and can score goals. He could be a real contender for captain in this clash.
Jonathan Bamba: Bamba is another attacking footballer who can score goals and can be a captain option.
Burak Yilmaz: The Turkish international, who leads the attack for Lille can be a game changer in this clash.
M’Baye Niang: He could be another option here. The Rennes player has scored few goals last season to prove his class.
Who will win LIL vs REN Today Match Prediction Football
Rennes side were enjoying a stunning season before the last campaign was prematurely curtailed and a Lille outfit who won six of their seven games leading into the lockdown period. Plenty of time has passed since then which of course makes this encounter a difficult one to call, but both sides will be confident of continuing from where they left off. We predict a 1-1 draw in today match prediction.