On Saturday, two significant teams in Ligue 1, Rennes and Monaco, will clash at Roazhon Park. The match is crucial as both teams sit close together in the league standings, separated by just two points.
Match Preview: Rennes vs. Monaco
Currently, Rennes occupies the eighth position in the Ligue 1 table. They recently secured a 1-0 victory against Paris FC, which marked their second consecutive win. This has helped alleviate pressure on their manager, Habib Beye, who has seen an improvement in his team’s performance. Rennes has gone unbeaten in their last three league matches, and another victory this weekend could equal their longest winning streak since early 2024.
At home, Rennes has been strong, suffering only one defeat this season in league play. If they score the opening goal against Monaco, they have a perfect record, having won both matches in that scenario while conceding just once.
Monaco’s Recent Struggles
Monaco is experiencing a turbulent season, failing to earn any points in their last two domestic matches. They most recently lost 4-1 to Lens, contributing to concerns about their performance. Presently, they are clinging to a position in the Conference League qualifiers, with only two points separating them from a Champions League spot.
Historically, Monaco has performed better as visitors lately, winning their last two away matches. Notably, they have been victorious in their last four encounters against Rennes, each by a narrow margin, including a 2-1 win at Roazhon Park last season.
Team Updates and Key Players
Both teams are dealing with injuries. For Rennes, there were two changes to the starting XI for their last match, with Anthony Rouault and Quentin Merlin stepping in for Ait Boudlal and Frankowski. Breel Embolo, a former Monaco player, scored the decisive goal in their recent match, while goalkeeper Brice Samba recorded his third clean sheet of the season.
Monaco may miss several players due to injuries. Krepin Diatta is doubtful after a head injury, and Vanderson alongside Christian Mawissa are questionable due to hamstring issues. Lamine Camara is dealing with an ankle injury, and Mohammed Salisu is also uncertain due to a knee problem. Fans are hopeful for the return of Paul Pogba, who might see game time after serving a lengthy doping ban, although Folarin Balogun will be absent due to a red card suspension.
Projected Lineups
Both teams have notable lineups they may field:
- Rennes: Samba; Rouault, Jacquet, Brassier; Al-Taamari, Camara, Rongier, Cisse, Frankowski; Lepaul, Meite
- Monaco: Kohn; Teze, Kehrer, Dier, Ouattara; Coulibaly, Zakaria; Akliouche, Golovin, Fati; Biereth
Prediction for Rennes vs. Monaco
This encounter will be pivotal for both teams. While Rennes aims to continue their upward trajectory, Monaco needs to bounce back from recent setbacks. Our prediction leans towards a close 2-1 victory for Monaco, as the extra week of rest could provide them with the edge they need.
