Rennes vs PSG

Runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG head to Roazhon Park to meet top-three hopefuls Rennes in a tasty-looking top-flight showdown.

Bottom-half Clermont toppled Rennes 2-1 in midweek Ligue 1 action, dousing the optimism in Bruno Genesio’s corner amid the home side’s dip in form. ‘Les Rennais’ have suffered two defeats in their last three top-flight outings (W1), as many as in their opening 15 in 2022/23, falling five behind third-placed Marseille in the process. However, Roazhon Park has been an impregnable stronghold this season, with Rennes stringing together eight straight home league victories following a 1-0 loss to Lorient on the opening matchday. Unbeaten in their last three home Ligue 1 encounters against PSG (W2, D1), they will be forgiven for dreaming big amid the club’s attempt to win nine consecutive top-flight home games for the first time in history.

In the meantime, PSG regrouped following a dismal 3-1 defeat at fellow title bidders Lens by beating dead-last Angers 2-0 at home last time out. That result, combined with Lens’ draw at Strasbourg, helped Les Parisiens re-establish a six-point cushion at the summit. However, Christophe Galtier’s men have blown hot and cold away from home lately, registering just two wins on their last four Ligue 1 travels (D1, L1). Unbeaten in his six previous managerial H2Hs against Rennes (W3, D3), Galtier, encouraged by Kylian Mbappe’s impending return to the fold, will relish his prospects at Roazhon Park. On top of that, Galtier’s unstoppable frontline has scored 2+ goals in four of Paris’ last five competitive away matches.