Lille vs Rennes: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

Lille and Rennes are set to clash in a vital Ligue 1 match on January 7, 2026, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. This match marks their first meeting of the year and will be key for both teams as they strive for European qualification.

Match Preview

Lille concluded the previous year impressively, securing four consecutive victories. They ended 2025 with a thrilling 5-3 win over Auxerre, bringing their total to ten wins from sixteen games. Currently stationed in fourth place, Lille trails leaders Lens by five points. Their potent offense has scored 33 goals, placing them among the top scorers in Ligue 1, only behind Marseille and PSG.

The home team has demonstrated a strong home advantage, winning eight of their last nine league matches when scoring first. They will aim to harness this momentum to further cement their position.

Rennes’ Recent Performance

Rennes faced a disappointing 5-0 defeat against PSG in their last league outing, but they rebounded with back-to-back wins against Brest and Les Sables. Their current sixth-place standing comes after accumulating 27 points from 16 matches, which is a significant improvement compared to the previous two seasons.

Despite their recent success, Rennes will need to overcome a poor record against Lille. They are winless in their last twelve encounters with Lille, suffering six defeats and drawing six times.

Team News

Lille has been dealing with a handful of injuries and suspensions. Key players like Alexsandro and Ousmane Toure are unavailable due to injuries, while Nathan Ngoy and Romain Perraud will miss the match due to red cards. Additionally, Chancel Mbemba and Aissa Mandi are competing in the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Lille can rely on Hakon Haraldsson and Olivier Giroud, who have collectively netted nine goals so far this season.

Possible Starting Lineups

• Lille: Ozer; Meunier, Fernandes, Santos, Verdonk; Bouaddi, Bentaleb; Mbappe, Haraldsson, Sahraoui; Giroud
• Rennes: Samba; Brassier, Rouault, Jacquet; Tamari, Cisse, Rongier, Camara, Frankowski; Embolo, Le Paul

Match Prediction

This match between Lille and Rennes is anticipated to be an exciting affair filled with attacking play. Given both teams’ scoring capabilities, a high-scoring draw of 2-2 seems a plausible outcome.

As both teams look to maintain momentum, the clash promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fans of Ligue 1 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.