The Ligue 1 season is kicking off with plenty of drama for PSG as they travel to face Rennes on the opening weekend. The match was meant to happen at the Parc des Princes but the pitch there was not up to scratch so everything shifted up north to Brittany at short notice. This change could play right into the hands of the home side who love to make life tough for the big boys on their own turf. Rennes showed last season they can punch above their weight and with the crowd behind them they will be looking to cause another upset right from the first whistle.
Team Form
PSG come into this one after a mixed bag of results in the pre season super cup games where they beat Aston Villa but then lost to Lens in the final. The attack has not been firing on all cylinders yet and missing chances could be a worry for Luis Enrique. Rennes on the other hand finished sixth last time around which earned them a direct spot in the Europa League group stage so they have had more time to prepare without early qualifiers. At home they have a habit of taking points off the champions and their fans will expect nothing less than a bold showing here.
- PSG won the super cup against Aston Villa 2 1 but fell 0 1 to Lens in the other showpiece
- Rennes claimed sixth place last season just ahead of Marseille on tiebreakers
- The visitors have only lost four trophies under Enrique despite dominating the league
Tactical Analysis
Rennes are likely to start with plenty of energy and press high to test PSG early while the Parisian defense sorts itself out after the venue switch. Their attack has shown it can punish top teams as seen in the 3 1 home win over PSG last campaign. For their part PSG will look to control possession and use their star players to break down a compact Rennes side but the lack of a cutting edge so far means they may need time to settle. Both teams have attacking talent that can create chances so expect an open game with goals at both ends.
- Rennes strength lies in their home crowd and quick transitions on the counter
- PSG weakness shows in finishing when the big names fail to convert early chances
- Both sides tend to leave spaces that suit fast forwards and creative midfielders
Betting Proposal
With Rennes set to play without fear and PSG needing to wake up their attack this fixture has all the signs of a high scoring affair. The visitors will want to respond to recent setbacks while the hosts will push forward from the start so the total goals line looks appealing. Fans in Nigeria know these types of games often deliver goals when the underdog comes out swinging against the champions.
PSG and Rennes to combine for four goals or more looks the smart play here and the over 3.5 total at 2.10 offers real value for those who like bold calls on the opening weekend.
