Paris SG vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-03-18 16:05.
After suffering a fifth UEFA Champions League round of 16 exit from the previous seven seasons last week, PSG did little to reassure their fans as it took a 90th-minute winner from Kylian Mbappé to secure a 2-1 win over strugglers Brest. Despite a disappointing performance, coach Christophe Galtier said he was “satisfied” on Saturday, as PSG scored their 3000th goal in Ligue 1 to send themselves ten points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 standings ahead of the round.
Set for a record 11th French title, the Parisians have turned the Parc des Princes into something of a fortress, as they rank as one of only five clubs in the top five European leagues still unbeaten on home soil in league action (W11, D2) in 2022/23. In fact, their last league loss here dates back to April 2021 but a huge absentee list for this contest that includes key players such as Neymar could leave them vulnerable to dropping points.
Visitors Rennes make this trip after winning just two of their previous six league outings (D1, L3), capped off by a goalless draw at relegation-battling Auxerre last time out. That result highlighted the recent offensive deficiencies of coach Bruno Génésio’s men, as they’ve now failed to score in their previous two league outings, representing as many scoring blanks as in the 40 prior!
Therefore, the Red and Blacks are looking anxiously over their shoulders as they battle to hold onto a European place. A game against the champions is unlikely to aid them in that pursuit, yet they’ve actually been one of the most successful sides in recent seasons when taking on PSG by winning four of the last nine H2Hs, albeit they haven’t won away here since 2018. That win back then was a 2-0 success and they also scored twice when they won here the two times before (2012 and 2014), but considering they’ve failed to achieve that feat away in the league since October, scoring multiple goals (and winning) at the league leaders this time around might prove hard work.
Players to watch: Danilo Pereira has been a lucky charm, contributing to a win in his eight goalscoring outings for PSG, with all matches featuring over 2.5 goals. Rennes’ Adrien Truffert provided the assist in the 1-0 win in the reverse fixture this season, with his five assists in Ligue 1 this season the most of any player yet to score.
Hot stat: The average time of the opening goal in PSG’s matches (22’) is the joint-quickest in the division.