Lille predicted XI v Rennes: Hakon Arnar Haraldsson to continue in false No.9 role

LOSC Lille v Real Betis Balompie – UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 — LILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 08: Alexsandro of LOSC Lille celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with Hakon Arnar Haraldsson during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between LOSC Lille and Real Betis Balompie at Stade Pierre Mauroy on September 08, 2026 in Lille, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Rather than starting with Olivier Giroud, Lille OSC are set to opt for the false No.9 option when they travel to Brittany to face Stade Rennais this afternoon.

Ayase Ueda remains sidelined, whilst Hamza Igamane has yet to recover from the ACL injury that he sustained in February. It leaves Giroud as the obvious choice to start up front, but the former France international has more often been used off the bench. It is instead Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, who is expected to start for Lille.

Nottingham Forest loanee Dilane Bakwa could start on the left meanwhile, with Ethan Mbappé continuing on the right wing. Academy product Soriba Diaoune has impressed for Les Dogues in recent weeks but he could drop to the bench for today’s game.

Lille likely line-up v Rennes

Berke Ozer; Romain Perraud, Alexsandro, Nathan Ngoy, Maxima Goffi; Benjamin André, Nabil Bentaleb, Ngal’ayel Mukau; Dilane Bakwa, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Ethan Mbappé. (L’Éq)