Rennes vs. PSG: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
After Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne on Sunday, it feels like there is no one in Ligue 1 that can challenge the champions this season. It's that realisation in itself that will provide a test for Laurent Blanc’s side as they travel to Brittany on Friday.
Next up is Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park. It won’t be easy, but the Breton side will need to be at their best to provide anything close to a contest.
Philippe Montanier’s team enter off the back of a 1-0 win over Bastia in the Coupe de la Ligue but are without a league victory since the middle of September. They have only lost once in that run—five games ending 1-1.
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PSG have won two of the last three meetings in Brittany and will be very confident of extending their good form with three points, building confidence ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
Only two teams have taken league points off the Parisians this season. Rennes have the weapons to cause the league leaders problems, but it would take an outstanding performance for the home side to be able to stop the PSG attack.
Date: Friday, October 30, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT (3:30 p.m. ET)
Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes
TV Info: BT Sport (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: beIN Sport Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
| Stade Rennais | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Bastia 0-1 Rennes (Coupe de la Ligue) | PSG 4-1 Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1) |
| Lorient 1-1 Rennes (Ligue 1) | PSG 0-0 Real Madrid (Champions League) |
| Rennes 1-4 Nice (Ligue 1) | Bastia 0-2 PSG (Ligue 1) |
| Monaco 1-1 Rennes (Ligue 1) | PSG 2-1 Marseille (Ligue 1) |
| Rennes 1-1 Troyes (Ligue 1) | Shakhtar 0-3 PSG (Champions League) |
Rennes are still without winger Paul-Georges Ntep for the visit of PSG, leaving the game without the one player who could definitely cause Blanc’s defence problems.
As Montanier tried to find a solution to the drop in form, he moved back to a back four against Lorient. His 3-4-3 had worked in an attacking sense, but the defence looked exposed, especially with former PSG defender and veteran Sylvain Armand a little off the pace.
Juan Quintero made his first league start last time out. He is someone with the potential to be a threat. Montanier needs to find a way to get the best out of the young Colombian.
Giovanni Sio missed the Bastia cup match through suspension, but will be allowed to make his return against PSG, giving Montanier the option of playing a true centre-forward upfront.
During Thursday's pregame press conference, Blanc confirmed David Luiz will to miss the game because of his knee injury, and he also revealed that Javier Pastore is out with conjunctivitis, relayed by Canal Supporters.
Edinson Cavani will be rested for Friday's game, and Marquinhos is out with a thigh injury, via PSG's official website, leaving Thiago Silva as the only fit centre-back in the squad.
Blanc has a decision to make. Benjamin Stambouli can play at centre-back, as can Thiago Motta. PSG could also play Serge Aurier there with Gregory van der Wiel coming in at right-back.
Predicted Formations
Rennes (4-2-3-1): Abdoulaye Diallo; Romain Danze, Pedro Mendes, Fallou Diagne, Ludovic Baal; Yacouba Sylla, Gelson Fernandes; Juan Quintero, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Kamil Grosicki; Giovanni Sio.
PSG (4-3-3): Kevin Trapp; Gregory Van der Wiel, Serge Aurier, Thiago Silva, Layvin Kurzawa; Benjamin Stambouli, Blaise Matuidi, Marco Verratti; Angel Di Maria, Lucas, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Player to Watch
So much is made of PSG’s attacking talent, but at the back, the form of Thiago Silva has been excellent this season. They may not face a constant threat from opponents, but when it is asked of him, the Brazilian steps up and plays a captain’s role.
"There's a tough match waiting for us in Rennes," the Brazil international told the club's official website. He continued:
"I think that if we want to have a good match in Madrid, we'll need have a good match on Friday too. It's a kind of preparation. If we play well in Rennes, I'm sure that we'll have an incredible match on Tuesday. We'll do our best to come back to Paris with three points. We're going there looking to play our own game.
"
Rennes play a very fluid attacking style. Even Sio, the recognised centre-forward, drifts and plays out in the channels. Silva will have to be vigilant to track the movement of the forward line.
Key Battle
Rennes' strongest area this season has been the centre of midfield. No one expected much of Yacouba Sylla after his move from a failed spell at Aston Villa, but the former Clermont man has done an excellent job so far in Ligue 1.
Beside him is the vital experience of Gelson Fernandes. The former Manchester City and Saint-Etienne midfielder has been consistently excellent for Montanier’s side, and Rennes will need the Switzerland international to lead by example on Friday.
The third member of the midfield that will be crucial is Abdoulaye Doucoure. Without Ntep, the box-to-box midfielder continues to make runs from midfield, charging up and down the pitch, and he looks to both protect the defence and contribute to the attack.
There is no doubt Blanc will look to rest one or two players before Tuesday. If the midfield is not at its strongest, Rennes will have a chance to dominate in the centre of the pitch.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Home win: 669/100
Away win: 50/111
Draw: 157/50
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