PSG vs Rennes

Runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG welcome European hopefuls Rennes to the Parc des Princes for a handsomely-looking league contest.

Kylian Mbappe’s 90th-minute winner in last weekend’s 2-1 triumph at bottom-half underachievers Brest helped PSG break a 3000-goal milestone in Ligue 1 and move ten points clear at the summit. While lifting a record-extending 11th Ligue 1 crown is unlikely to ease the pressure on Christophe Galtier following another frustrating Champions League exit, ‘Les Parisiens’ will be absolute pre-match favorites to take another step toward reaching that goal. But they would be silly to underestimate their rivals Rennes after losing three times in their last six top-flight H2Hs (W2, D1), including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, which remains their only league loss ‘to nil’ this season. One goal may not be enough for Paris to avenge that upset, considering they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last nine league outings.

In the meantime, Rennes slumped to a woeful 0-0 draw at promoted Auxerre last time out, recording a second straight scoring blank in Ligue 1 for the first time this season. Another failed attempt to get on the scoresheet would see ‘Les Rennais’ go three consecutive league matches without scoring for the first time since September 2021. But Bruno Genesio’s men have at least improved their defensive showings, keeping a clean sheet on their last two league travels after failing to do so in 22 straight away league games beforehand. Conceding first would likely throw Rennes’ hopes of posting their first Ligue 1 win at the Parc des Princes since 2018 under the bus because they’ve gone winless in all seven away league outings when falling behind this season (D2, L5).