Chelsea v Rennes: Champions League predictions, betting preview and free tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Chelsea v Rennes in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2/Ultimate, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Chelsea to win & both teams to score
1pt 2-1 Betway, BoyleSports

Team news

Chelsea
Billy Gilmour (knee) is a long-term absentee while Kepa Arrizabalaga (shoulder) and Christian Pulisic (hamstring) are doubts.

Rennes
Faitout Maouassa (ankle), Daniele Rugani (thigh) and Eduardo Camavinga (knock) are unlikely to feature but Benjamin Bourigeaud (muscle strain) came off the bench at the weekend. Flavien Tait (illness) is a doubt and Steven Nzonzi returns from a European suspension.

Match preview

Solid defending underpinned Chelsea's unbeaten October with five clean sheets kept in six matches but the Blues may have to rely on their top-class attack to overcome free-scoring Rennes on Champions League matchday three at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard's side have not conceded a goal in the Champions League and are top of Group E following last Wednesday's 4-0 victory away to Krasnodar.

But two of their seven Premier League games have been 3-3 draws (away to West Brom and at home to Southampton) and it's unlikely that their defensive woes have suddenly become a thing of the past.

Chelsea's rearguard were barely tested during a comfortable 3-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday but it could be a different story against Rennes, who are the second top scorers in Le Championnat with 18 goals in nine games.

Julian Stephan's side have netted in ten of 11 matches this season and their chances of challenging Chelsea are increased by the availability of experienced midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who missed last Wednesday's 1-0 loss away to Sevilla.

Rennes could have no complaints about the outcome in Andalucia, where they lost the shot count 23 to two, but they are capable of playing much better.

Champions League football is an entirely new experience for the French debutants so it is only natural that they will need time to adjust.

However, Rennes have remained competitive in domestic matches and are third in the table, just three points behind leaders PSG.

From a Chelsea perspective, the matchday three and four encounters with Rennes offer a great opportunity to cement top-two status.

The Londoners were probably overly cautious when drawing 0-0 with Sevilla on matchday one and will be anxious to avoid dropping any more points on home soil.

Lampard is spoilt for choice when it comes to team selection with Hakim Ziyech, Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, Mason Mount, Olivier Giroud and Callum Hudson-Odoi competing for attacking places. But he went a very offensive line-up at Burnley and the shape and emphasis of the side is unlikely to change.

There could be plenty of action for Rennes goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, who will be keen to show his best side on the same pitch as Chelsea custodian Eduoard Mendy, the man he replaced.

However, Chelsea are likely to find a way through on more than one occasion and should take the points in an entertaining affair.

Key stat

Rennes have scored in 14 of their last 15 matches.

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