Celtic vs Rennes preview, predictions & possible XIs

Celtic have already guaranteed qualification to the Europa League round of 32 but can top Group E with a win over Rennes.
Neil Lennon’s men will also finish first if second-placed CFR Cluj lose to Lazio, but the Scottish club will want to get the job done on their own terms.
For Rennes, the landscape is much more worrying. The French outfit are currently bottom of the group, without a win, and unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Read on for Celtic vs Rennes preview, predictions, teams news, TV info and more
When is Celtic vs Rennes and where can I watch live?
Competition: Europa League
Venue: Celtic Park
Date: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 3
Last three meetings: Celtic vs Rennes
19 Sep 2019: Rennes 1-1 Celtic (Europa League)
03 Nov 2011: Celtic 3-1 Rennes (Europa League)
20 Oct 2011: Rennes 1-1 Celtic (Europa League)
Aggregate Score: Celtic (DWD) 5-3 Rennes (DLD)
Ones to watch
Celtic: Odsonne Edouard
Odsonne ‘I wanna be’ Edouard has been on fire for Celtic this season, particularly in the Scottish Premiership, where he’s already bagged nine goals in just 12 games as well as registering another five assists.
His domestic form hasn’t quite carried over to the European stage just yet with only the single goal, but he is sure to find the back of the net at least once in the Glasgow club’s final two group stage matches. Could that be against an already-eliminated Rennes?
Key stat: Odsonne Edouard has attempted more dribbles in the Europa League this season than any other Celtic player (17).
Rennes: Eduardo Camavinga
Having just turned 17 earlier this month, Eduardo Camavinga is one of the most promising youngster currently playing across Europe. He has already amassed 12 starts in Ligue 1 and has shown, not only maturity beyond his years, but also the requisite physical prowess to go toe-to-toe with some of the continent’s more experienced central midfielders.
Key stat: Eduardo Camavinga has made more tackles than any Rennes player in Ligue 1 this season (52).
Team news
Celtic
Celtic will be without right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed for this match, while 18-year-old Jeremie Frimpong – who has been playing in his absence – is not registered in the Scottish side’s European squad, meaning Moritz Bauer will likely take the berth.
Elsewhere Lennon will be sweating over the fitness of Boli Bolingoli, who has missed the previous three games, while Jonny Hayes is a doubt, so Greg Taylor could get his European bow.
Predicted XI: Forster; Bauer, Ajer, Jullien, Taylor; Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Rogic, Christie; Edouard.
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Rennes
As for Rennes manager Julien Stephan, he will be without Jonas Martin, Metehan Guclu and former Watford forward N’Baye Niang. With the Ligue 1 club already out of this contest, he is likely to field a weakened XI.
Predicted XI: Mendy; Traore, Da Silva, Gnagnon, Morel; Rafinha, Grenier, Camavinga, Hunou; Del Castillo, Gboho.
Squawka prediction
Few clubs can top the kind of raucous atmosphere that Celtic generate at Parkhead, and with the chance to finish first in Group E, expect a full house in Glasgow.
With the fans fully behind the team, Celtic should have little issues getting the job done here against a side already out of Europe. Should Lennon field his strongest possible XI then the celebrations could last long into the night.
Scoreline prediction: Celtic 2-0 Rennes