PSG are vying to get back on top of the Ligue 1 standings after losing their spot last weekend as they take on an in-form Stade Rennais.
Luis Enrique will have looked into some of the problems on his side after last weekend’s performance against AS Monaco as PSG prepare to host Stade Rennais this weekend. The Parisians headed into that game as firm favourites given how badly their opposition have been playing of late.
However, a Takumi Minamino goal midway through he second half proved to be the difference and helped with the three points. PSG did have an advantage in the final ten minutes of the game, considering defender Thilo Kehrer was sent off, but Enrique’s side could not capitalise on the game.
The result was monumental to see a change at the top of the table, as the nearest contender, Marseille, could only muster a draw against Toulouse at home, but RC Lens took full advantage on Sunday with a win over Angers SCO. Lens are currently leading the table by a single point, something Enrique will want restored with a win over Rennes.
Only a month ago, Habib Baye was under severe pressure about losing his job as Rennes were on a six-game winless run. Media reports clearly stated he was a dead man walking on borrowed time, but the manager has turned things around in a way that Rennes are a firm part of the conversation for next season’s Champions League.
As things stand, Stade Rennais are fifth in the standings, having stitched together a four-game winning streak in Ligue 1 and are five games unbeaten in all competitions ahead of the game against PSG. Should they win this weekend, they could be victorious in three consecutive games on the road for the first time since December 2023 – February 2024.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Luis Enrique might continue his trend of treading carefully with the selection of injured or doubtful players, as last weekend he brought five new faces in his starting lineup who did not start against Le Havre before.
Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Fabian Ruiz all started against AS Monaco, and might retain their respective places, barring maybe Marquinhos and Ruiz. PSG are still missing Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi, while Nuno Mendes and Renato Marin are also big doubts for the home clash at the weekend.
Enrique is unlikely to take his chances with the Portuguese full-back, meaning Hernandez should get a start in the backline, where Illia Zabarnyi will partner Pacho in central defence, while Warren Zaire-Emery will retain his spot at right-back.
Ousmane Dembele will continue to lead the line, with Lee Kang-in likely to be part of the front three. Mayulu could join the PSG midfield setup alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves when they take on Stade Rennais this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Hernandez; Neves, Vitinha, Mayulu; Kang-in, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Stade Rennais
Rennes will continue to be without key star Seko Fofana, with the midfielder set to be sidelined with a thigh injury, and Mahamadou Nagida is also absent despite being on the bench the last time out.
The Rennes boss will continue to deploy a formation that has worked well over the last many weeks, meaning a back three of Jeremy Jacquet, Lilian Brassier, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal will take their spots with Brice Samba firmly settled in goal.
Przemyslaw Frankowski and Mousa Tamari are the wing-back options for Rennes, with Djaoui Cisse firmly settled at the base of the midfield. He will have Valentin Rongier and Mahdi Camara besides him in central midfield, while Rennes will continue with a front two of Esteban Lepaul and Breel Embolo.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Samba; Jacquet, Brassier, Boudlal; Frankowski, Rongier, Cisse, Camara, Tamari; Lepaul, Embolo
Key Stats
- Rennes have won their last four Ligue 1 games.
- Stade Rennais are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 games.
- Paris Saint-Germain have won their last three matches against Stade Rennais in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain are a point behind leaders RC Lens in the Ligue 1 standings.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
The return to fitness for the France international and Ballon d’Or winner is a big boost for PSG in the context of their season, but it is up to Enrique on how he wants to make use of the forward. His fitness is key for PSG’s season, and then it is also up to the forward to start delivering.
The game against Stade Rennais is of big value to PSG with regards to asserting their dominance in Ligue 1, as Enrique will want to kick-start the season for the club. For their chances at the weekend. Dembele will be crucial for their chances to get a win and return to the top of the standings.
Prediction
PSG 2-1 Stade Rennais
Rennes are in a top vein of form coming into this clash, but they are facing the mighty PSG away from home. While the visitors are showing they can outclass some of the big teams, the prospect of doing so against the Parisians might seem like a big ask.
PSG are eager to build their season to another level as they did around this time last season, when they looked a bit down but rose to prominence. The game against Rennes should be the point where they should kick-start, as PSG are widely expected to collect three points.
