Rennes-PSG is a match on the 19th day of Ligue 1 and will be played on Sunday at 20:45: stats, odds, predictions
There has been a lot of talk about the actually obvious – and in some ways understandable – decision not to allow any special celebrations for Leo Messi before the Ligue 1 match with Angers. The great protagonist of Argentina’s triumph, who beat France in the final in Qatar about a month ago, was given a rather cold reception by the Parisian fans on Wednesday.
That was not enough to discourage the newly crowned world champion, who came up with a goal in the match against the Scoitses, beaten 2-0 at the Parc des Princes and increasingly last in the standings. Without Mbappé, who is still on holiday, the Argentine took centre stage, decisive in the success over the Bianconeri that allowed Psg to turn the page immediately after their first league defeat against Lens and widen the gap once again against the Giallorossi, who were stopped at the same time by Strasbourg. With one day to go before the end of the first half of the season, the reigning French champions have a six-point margin over their first pursuer, Franck Haise’s team. Psg coach Christophe Galtier would like to try to close the Ligue 1 file in the next two months, with the aim of then concentrating exclusively on the Champions League, the real big goal of the club owned by Qatari Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Rennes haven’t lost at home since August
Psg will, however, have to be alert for the away trip to Rennes, against the league’s fourth-ranked side, eager to redeem the unexpected defeat they suffered three days ago against Clermont. Mbappé should return from the 1′, available again along with Hakimi.
For Bruno Genesio’s Rossoneri, the recent setbacks against Reims and Clermont weigh like boulders. Two missteps that slowed down their race towards third place and put an end to a long unbeaten run. Just as Lens did, Rennes will also try to make the home factor count against Psg: this season Gouiri and his team-mates have scored eight victories and one defeat in front of their home crowd.
The Prediction
All the conditions seem to be in place for a victory, which would be a heavy one, for Psg in a stadium that has only been violated once this season. Galtier reunites all his champions and the Rossoneri’s defence, which has been very fragile lately, will obviously be put to the test. We should see at least three goals in total at Rhoazon Park, despite Genesio having to do without his injured scorer Terrier.
Rennes v PSG likely line-ups
- RENNES (4-4-2): Mandanda; Traoré, Wooh, Theate, Truffert; D. Doué, Majer, Tait, Doku; Kalimuendo, Gouiri.
- PSG (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Bernat; Fabian Ruiz, Danilo, Vitinha; Messi; Mbappé, Neymar.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
