Ligue 1 | Gameweek 25

Mar 8, 2025 at 4pm UK

Roazhon Park

Rennes vs PSG

Match preview

PSG was finding new ways to fail in the Champions League. Luis Enrique's free-flowing attacking unit subjected Liverpool to a constant wave of attacks at the Parc des Princes in midweek, only for a combination of marginal refereeing decisions and an inspired Alisson Becker to keep them at bay.

With PSG huffing and puffing in vain in the French capital, Harvey Elliott - sent on in place of an ailing Mohamed Salah - taught the French champions a lesson in ruthlessness with a last-gasp winner that gives Liverpool a huge advantage heading into next week's trip to Anfield.

When the post-mortem of Wednesday's chastening defeat is complete, PSG will have a 13-point lead to defend at the top of Ligue 1, having seen off closest challengers Marseille with their customary dominance of the domestic scene.

Enrique's men beat Lille 4-1 on March 1 for their fifth successive win in the French top flight, and the reigning Ligue 1 champions have maintained their unbeaten domestic record in 2024-25, with 19 wins and five draws from 24 league games to date.

Unstoppable on the road since a goalless draw at Auxerre at the start of December, PSG have won each of their last 12 away games and are triple unbeaten in Ligue 1 on the road, with a remarkable run of 36 games without defeat dating back to a 3-1 loss to Monaco in February 2023.

Coincidentally, Monaco were also the last team to defeat Rennes away from home, although that defeat came in January as opposed to 25 months ago for Les Rouges et Noir, who have since boosted their prospects of climbing back into the top half of the table.

Adapting to the methods of recently appointed head coach and former Newcastle United player Habib Beye, Saturday's hosts are basking in their new manager's glow, having taken 12 points from a possible 15 since the 47-year-old took over.

Moreover, Rennes have kept a clean sheet in all four of those victories, as Les Rouges et Noirs followed up shutout wins over Strasbourg, Saint-Etienne and Reims with a 4-0 hammering of Montpellier, although a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lille sandwiched the Saint-Etienne and Reims victories.

Seko Fofana, Djaoui Cisse, Lorenz Assignon and Arnaud Kalimuendo all contributed to the thrashing of La Paillade, although the 11th-placed hosts will not be able to break into the top 10 even if they inflict a shock defeat on the champions on Saturday.

PSG should not be counting their chickens just yet, however, having lost three of their last five Ligue 1 away games to Les Rouges et Noirs, although Enrique's men did run out convincing 3-1 winners at the Parc des Princes in late September.

Recent Performance

Rennes Ligue 1 form:LWWLWW

Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 form:DWWWWW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):WWWWWL

Team News

PSG's egos may have been bruised by the events of Wednesday night, but Les Parisiens came through the night without any physical blemishes, meaning Enrique has a fully-fit squad to choose from once again.

Changes are surely inevitable ahead of next week's all-or-nothing trip to Anfield, and one man who should benefit from some rotation is Warren Zaire-Emery, who is seeking his first start since recovering from an ankle sprain.

Desire Doue, Goncalo Ramos, Lucas Beraldo and Lee Kang-in are also in contention for a place in the visitors' side, as is the seldom-used Lucas Hernandez.

Rennes, on the other hand, are still without cruciate ligament victims Alidu Seidu.

Beye will also be forced to make an unwelcome change in midfield, with 21-year-old Cisse - one of the scorers in the Montpellier defeat - serving a ban for accumulating bookings.

Either Azor Matusiwa or Ismael Kone should replace him in the engine room, where 20-year-old Wales international Jordan James is also likely to feature after picking up his first assist in red and black last weekend.

Possible starting lineup

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Samba; Rouault, Brassier, Jacquet; Assignon, Fofana, James, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Kalimuendo

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Doue, Zaire-Emery, Neves; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola