Preview: Paris-Rennes

THE LATEST RANKINGS

Paris Saint-Germain's latest Ligue 1 win away to FC Nantes on the previous match day (0-2) means they continue to lead the league. With 12 wins from their last 14 matches, Paris now have 53 points from 22 games. Unstoppable since October, the Rouge et Bleu have widened their lead to 13 points over second-placed Brest, and 14 ahead of OGC Nice, who sit in third place.

For their part, Stade Rennais FC endured a tricky first half of the season before making a stunning start to 2024. With 15 points since the start of the calendar year, the Breton club has a perfect record and is the best performing team in France over this period. Having beaten Clermont Foot 63 3-1 in their last league outing, Rennes now have 34 points from 22 matches. A new-found collective strength has seen the Rouge et Noir climb to 7th place in Ligue 1.

DYNAMICS IN NUMBERS

This Sunday afternoon at the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain will be looking for their 8th win in their last 9 home league games. Unbeaten in their last 17 Ligue 1 games, the club from the capital will be looking to win against a tough opponent who have already beaten them seven times in all competitions during the QSI era, including four times at the Parc, the highest total over that period. To do so, the Rouge et Bleu will be able to rely on Kylian Mbappé, who has already returned 16 points for his team in the top flight this season, more than any other player. In this category, the French international is trailed by Martin Terrier, the SRFC striker, who has returned 9 points for his side this season.

The Rennes No7 has spearheaded the Breton attack, with 6 goal involvements in the last 6 matches (5 goals, 1 assist). Over that period, only one player has done better in the league: Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists. Currently on a run of 6 consecutive wins in Ligue 1, the best in France, SRFC have lost just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions: that was at the San Siro, to AC Milan (3-0). For the rest, Rennes have won 10 times, including a prestigious 3-2 victory over the Rossoneri on Thursday. The Parisians have been warned: they will have to put in a great performance if they are to continue their run and put an end to that of the Bretons.

OPPOSING FORCES

Julien Stéphan and his team have two main playing systems: 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. In goal, 2018 world champion Steve Mandanda is the undisputed starter. The 38-year-old, who has made more than 500 appearances in Ligue 1, has also inherited the captain's armband. In front of him, Belgian international Arthur Theate is usually joined by Warmed Omari to form the central defensive partnership, while up-and-coming French international Jeanuël Belocian (19) and Christopher Wooh provide the rotation. On the right side of defence, the battle rages on between solid new recruit Alidu Seidu and club-trained rising star Guéla Doué, although the latter has so far been preferred to start in big matches.

At the other end of the spectrum, French international Adrien Truffert (2 goals and 5 assists in all competitions this season) has a free hand and, barring any surprises, is likely to start at on the left as his young understudy Mahamadou Nagida (18) is injured. In the middle, the Rennes staff will have to contend with a number of absentees: defensive midfielder Azor Matusiwa is suspended, while Fabian Rieder (metatarsal) is unavailable further up the pitch, as is Enzo Le Fée (hamstring). In an attempt to replace the latter's creativity, Benjamin Bourigeaud (10 goals, 5 assists) is set to take his place in the middle of the park, and he could be joined by the diamond in the rough Désiré Doué (3 goals, 4 assists).

Rennes coach Julien Stéphan could be forced to field an attack-minded midfield, and there is no doubt that Baptiste Santamaria will provide balance and link up with the defence in the sentinel position. In attack, on the other hand, Julien Stéphan has plenty to choose from: Martin Terrier (7 goals, 3 assists) is expected to start despite suffering a knee injury in the last match, and he could be joined by Arnaud Kalimuendo (10 goals, 1 assist) and Amine Gouiri (7 goals, 1 assist). Ludovic Blas (6 goals, 1 assist) also remains a credible option to occupy the right flank, as does Ibrahim Salah (5 goals, 1 assist) on the left, while Bertuğ Yildirim (2 goals, 1 assist) come on during the game. All in all, the Parisians look set to face some stiff opposition in this clash...