Rennes vs PSG

Ligue 1 signs off to accommodate October’s international break with an exciting meeting between Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain at Roazhon Park.

Rennes failed to convert a stoppage-time penalty in a stomach-wrenching 1-0 Europa League draw at Villarreal in midweek, leaving manager Bruno Genesio deflated after seeing his side renounce an eight-game unbeaten start to 2023/24 across all competitions (W3, D5). Desperate to return to winning ways and build on last weekend’s 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Nantes, ‘Les Rennais’ return to home turf, where they’re unbeaten in eight consecutive league matches (W6, D2), to take on PSG. Genesio’s side pulled off an impressive Ligue 1 double over ‘Les Parisiens’ last term and could now reach a feat unheard of during the Qatari era in Paris. The hosts are on the brink of becoming the first since 2011/12 to win three successive top-flight games against the Qatari-fund powerhouse.

In other circumstances, it would’ve been quite an achievement for Rennes, but the perennial Ligue 1 champions are up the creek without a paddle, as evidenced by a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat at Newcastle United in midweek. Under-fire manager Luis Enrique must patch things up at the back as another rout could drop the curtain on his dismal career in Paris, with PSG coming into this round off the back of a 0-0 draw against Clermont last time out. That result, however, marked the visitors’ tenth consecutive away league game without losing (W7, D3). Defensive frailties continue to torment PSG, though, as they conceded precisely once in seven of those ten road trips. They won’t be pleased to know their last Ligue 1 clean sheet at Rennes dates back to January 2017.