Depay can continue to repay Lyon's faith in youth

Ligue 1
6pm Wednesday

Lyon have responded from a five-goal thumping at runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG by going nine games unbeaten in all competitions and are a short price to make that ten at home to Rennes.

OL's most impressive performance during that run was undoubtedly the 2-2 Champions League draw with Manchester City last week and any repeat of that performance would, in all probability, be too good for 14th-placed Rennes.

The visitors' four league wins this season have come against clubs currently 11th, 13th, 16th and 19th in the table although they did claim a creditable draw at second-placed Montpellier ten days ago.

However, a trip to the Groupama Stadium to face arguably the best team besides all-conquering PSG in France is a much more daunting proposition.

Lyon boss Bruno Genesio has placed his faith in youth since stepping up from the role of assistant in 2015 and his philosophy is starting to bear fruit.

Genesio fielded a starting 11 with an average age of just 25 against Manchester City - a figure that would be even lower were it not for four players over the age of 28.

It is in attack where Genesio utilises the vibrancy of youth to its fullest with Maxwel Cornet, captain Nabil Fekir, Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele vying for three spots in a fearsome frontline.

Depay, in particular, has sparkled since ending a frustrating season-and-a-half at Manchester United, netting 29 times in 68 league games for Lyon.

The Dutchman scored 19 in his first full season with OL in 2017-18 and while he is operating at slightly lower than a goal every other game this term, a leaky Rennes defence offers his a great chance to rediscover the scoring touch.

Recommendation
M Depay first goalscorer
1pt each-way 5-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

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