The Ligue 1 title race has long been decided in France although Paris Saint-Germain took their time in sealing it mathematically. Now they have done that, the French league winners can focus on the Coupe de France, the final of which is played this weekend.
On Saturday 27th April Rennes will play PSG in the Coupe de France Final at the Stade de France.
Rennes have nothing left to play for in Ligue 1 this season. They are in 11th place and in no danger of being relegated but cannot make the European places. This is their opportunity to crown their season with silverware.
However, they come into this match having failed to win any of their last four games. All four have been in Ligue 1 and they have drawn two and lost two. Their most recent loss was a 3-2 defeat at Dijon last weekend, a team battling relegation.
Rennes’ last victory came in the Coupe de France and they beat Lyon 3-2 away from home, which was a great result. That was their toughest test in the competition to date having previously defeated Brest, Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire FC, Lille and Orleans.
The win over Lyon will give them confidence they can win this match and trends show Rennes have scored 2 goals in each round of the tournament this season. If they can score the same in the final, they will give PSG a good test.
PSG have celebrated winning the league title but must focus on this game. The 3-1 win at home over Monaco last weekend was their first in four matches. They were held a 2-2 draw at home in Ligue 1 against Strasbourg before tasting defeat at Lille and Nantes. The loss to Lille was particularly bad as PSG went down 5-1.
Much like their opponents, PSG have had a fairly easy ride to the Coupe de France final this season. They have defeated Pontivy GSI, Strasbourg, Villefranche, Dijon and Nantes. Three of those victories came at home and PSG have scored 3 or more goals in four of those five matches.
They are also yet to concede a goal in the competition although recent form suggests that could change in the final.
Team news and Rennes will be without the injured quartet of Jordan Siebatcheu, Romain Danze, Rafik Guitane and Ludovic Baal who are injured. Hatem Ben Arfa and Mbaye Niang are the dangers in attack.
PSG could be without three players as Marco Verratti, Thiago Silva and Thomas Meunier are struggling with injuries. However, Neymar is back in contention and could start along with Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.
Rennes have had their moments this season, beating Arsenal at home in the Europa League is a good example. However, they have already lost to PSG twice this season in Ligue 1 and with their front three back together, PSG should have more than enough to score a few goals and win this match.