AC Milan vs Rennes Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 15/02/2024, 09:00  by Sridhar | Modified on 15/02/2024 at 09:15 in Europa League Predictions

Continental giants AC Milan will look to extend their European journey as they host French side Rennes in the Europa League knockout round play-off. The first-leg of this tie will be played at the San Siro on Thursday. Milan finished third behind Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain in a highly competitive Champions League group to slide into Europa League. This is the first time in three seasons that the Rossoneri are competing in this competition and will be keen to at least level or improve their performances from last season in Europe where they reached the Champions League semis. Interestingly, this is Milan’s first Europa League knockout round playoff tie. They arrive to this match on the back of some cracking form, having won nine of their last 12 competitive matches where they lost only once. Home form is equally impressive with six wins out of eight where they lost just once.

Rennes are at this stage of the competition for a second successive season. They achieved it after finished second in Europa League Group F, where only a point separated them from leaders Villarreal. They had four wins and two defeats in the competition this year and will look to do better than last year when they were knocked out by Shakhtar Donetsk via penalties. Rennes will be careful about their chances here as they have lost on all three of their previous visits to Italian clubs. Their away form in Europe has improved a bit with eight wins from their last 12 such matches. Even recent form in all competitions – eight consecutive wins – suggests they won’t be a pushover.