Rennes vs Paris Saint Germain Preview and Prediction France Ligue 1 2017
Fixture: Rennes vs PSG
League: Ligue 1
Venue: Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
Date: Saturday 14th January
Kick-off: 16:00 GMT
Betting Preview:
The beginning of this season has left a lot to be desired for the giants of France, but a recent uptick in form suggests that PSG may be on the verge of getting back to their very best. In their last match of 2016 they put in a dominating 5-0 league performance against Lorient, which they followed up with a 7-o humiliation of Bastia in the Coupe de France.
Unai Emery has gotten PSG off to a flying start in 2017 and all the signs are there that the club will be able to keep that going. Thiago Silva and Marquinhos look far more assured at the back, there are about six midfielders that slot seamlessly into the middle of the park, Di Maria has picked up his form in order to complement Lucas Moura and Edinson Cavani remains in red-hot form.
The hosts, however, find themselves in a bit of a slump. Rennes have four points from their last five matches, and their most recent home match ended as a 2-1 defeat to Bastia. Their dip in form can be attributed to their inability to score multiple goals in matches, which they’ve only done twice since September.
Unfortunately, the transfer of Paul-Georges Ntep to Wolfsburg likely won’t do any favors for Rennes’ attack. The winger was a huge creative spark for his side and led the team with five assists.
Match Prediction:
With PSG hitting top form it’s hard to imagine any other result than a victory for the Parisians. They should control the match from front to back, and with the fire power they have it shouldn’t be too much of a struggle to break down the hosts.
Even though Rennes have been particularly strong at the Stade de la Route-de-Lorie and have managed to score in all of their home matches this season, we believe that streak will come to an this weekend.
This will be the first time the hosts will play a league match without Ntep on the wing, and their main striker and leading goal scorer Giovanni Sio is playing for the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. A match against PSG is not the best time to learn to adapt without your two best attackers.
Possible Lineups:
Rennes: Costil; Baal, Bensebaini, Gnagnon, Danze; Grosicki, Andre, Fernandes, Diakhaby, Gourcuff; Erasmus
PSG: Trapp; Kurzawa, Marquinhos, Silva, Meunier; Matuidi, Rabiot, Verratti; Di Maria, Cavani, Moura
Injury News:
Rennes: Chantome (out), Mexer (out), Said (out)
PSG: Pastore (out)
Prediction: Paris Saint Germain Win