PSG vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-09-26 19:00.
[p]Paris Saint-Germain’s perfect start to the season ended on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Reims, meaning they finished the round topping the Ligue 1 table on goal difference alone (W4, D1). But it’s a mighty impressive goal difference they boast (+13), suggesting that Luis Enrique’s men are coping well without Kylian Mbappé, having scored an average of 3.4 goals per league game this term.[/p]
[p]As the Parisians continue to explore every avenue to avoid paying their former star what he claims are €55 million in unpaid wages and bonus payments, they risk potential sanctions including a transfer ban. Well before that’s resolved, a tough test awaits at the Parc des Princes against Rennes, as PSG haven’t scored more than once in any of the last four home H2Hs (W2, D1, L1). [/p]
[p]Rennes arrive in the capital having conceded an injury-time equaliser against Lens on Saturday (D 1-1), much to the frustration of manager Julien Stéphan, who called for his side to show more maturity. He remains convinced a good season is in store and he could be right given they’ve the same points tally at this stage (W2, D1, L2) as they had across both of the last two campaigns.[/p]
[p]But the Red and Blacks have lost their last three league away games despite netting on each occasion and are looking to avoid a run of four straight Ligue 1 road defeats for the first time since February 2023. Conceding at least twice in each of their last four such fixtures (W1, L3) is a concern coming into this one, even if they have fared better than most at the home of the reigning champions of late. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After equalising against Reims, PSG’s Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© will be looking to haunt the club at which he started his career by scoring his fifth goal of the season – three of his four so far came after the 65th minute. Arnaud Kalimuendo moved from PSG to Rennes in 2022 and both of his league strikes this season came between the 20th and 40th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: After matchday five, PSG had scored a league-high five goals after the 80th minute in Ligue 1 this term.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]