Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Rennes – prediction, team news, line-ups

Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to maintain their huge lead in the Ligue 1 table when they take on Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. 

Match Preview

The Parisians saw a disappointing end to their Champions League campaign as they lost their round of 16 tie to Bayern Munich on a 3-0 aggregate. 

Christophe Galtier’s side couldn’t make their home advantage count, losing the first-leg 1-0 at the Parc des Princes. 

They were expected to show a more fighting spirit in the away leg but they once again disappointed, failing to breach the defences of their opponents. 

Eric Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry scored goals in the second-half as the Ligue 1 giants went out of the tournament with a whimper. 

However, PSG returned to winning ways at the weekend as they condemned Stade Brestois 29 to a 2-1 defeat. 

Carlos Soler fired the opener before Franck Honorat restored parity with a superb goal two minutes before half-time. 

It looked like the spoils of the game would be shared before Kylian Mbappe popped up with the winning goal just when the clock struck 90. 

The latest win leaves the Parisians 10 points clear at the top of the league standings. 

Meanwhile, Stade Rennais will be looking to create an upset win at PSG this Sunday. They last met Christophe Galtier’s side at Roazhon Park in January and registered a memorable victory with Hamari Traore scoring the decisive goal. 

However, they have since struggled to do well in the French league as they have picked up only three wins from their eight matches. 

The Red and Blacks have been winless in the month of March, losing the home fixture to Marseille before enduring a disappointing goalless draw at relegation-threatened side Auxerre. 

Rennes were lucky to even earn a point from the away fixture as Christophe Pelissier’s men came close to breaking the deadlock on many occasions. 

The Brittany outfit are aiming to secure European football for next season but are currently sitting fifth in the table with a point better off than LOSC Lille in sixth. 

Team News 

PSG boss Christoph Galtier will be missing several defenders for the Sunday’s clash, with Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Achraf Hakimi all sidelined with injuries. Sergio Ramos also recently joined these players on the treatment table, with the Parisians’ injury crisis going from bad to worse. Galtier could feature El Chadaille Bitshiabu in defence for the next home clash. 

On the other hand, Rennes will be missing Martin Terrier and Jeremy Doku with injury problems. Manager Bruno Génésio will also not be able to call upon the services of Xeka and Lorenz Assignon while Desire Doue is battling to overcome an illness. 

Paris Saint-Germain Potential line-up: 

Donnarumma; Pembele, Pereira, Bitshiabu, Mendes; Vitinha, Verratti, Zaire-Emery, Ruiz; Messi, Mbappe

Rennes Potential line-up: 

Mandanda; Traore, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Majer, Toko Ekambi; Gouiri, Kalimuendo

How to Watch?

Paris Saint-Germain vs Rennes, alongside all other fixtures in France’s top flight, is available to watch online via the Ligue 1 streams.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Rennes Prediction 

PSG have two of the best attackers in world football in Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn’t have any trouble breaching the defences of Rennes. 

The Red and Blacks could also prove to be difficult opponents on Sunday but we expect the Parisians to prevail in the end. 

Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Rennes