Sports Mole previews Saturday's Ligue 1 conflict between Rennes and Monaco, together with predictions, team information and attainable lineups.
Monaco will look to maintain tabs with Paris Saint-Germain on the prime of Ligue 1 once they journey to Rennes on Saturday night time.
Adi Hutter‘s males come into the sport off the again of a late fightback in Croatia on Wednesday, which maintained their unbeaten begin.
Match preview
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On a wet, sodden pitch on the Maksimir, Monaco fought in opposition to adversity to grab an unlikely level away to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek.
Both Dinamo objectives had been of the best high quality, whereas even Hutter would admit Monaco's first was very scruffy, earlier than Denis Zakaria levelled from the spot on 90 minutes.
That means they've taken 4 factors from their opening two Champions League video games, after additionally beating Barcelona on matchday one, maintaining their unbeaten begin to the season going.
A shocking run of kind domestically has complemented that, as Monaco have made the most effective begin to a season since they gained their first Ligue 1 title again in 1960-61, once they gained six from six.
Not even in 2016-17 when Monaco beat PSG to the title did they make this good of a begin, as that they had simply 13 factors from their opening six on that event, in comparison with 16 to this point this time round.
Only Lens have taken factors off Hutter's facet to this point, however they had been barely lucky Montpellier didn't final weekend, as Lamine Camara‘s 98th-minute strike handed Monaco a dramatic late win in opposition to 10 males.
Next up is Rennes, a facet that Monaco beat house and away final season, and a membership in transition after a summer time of upheaval within the switch market.
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With no European distractions, Rennes can focus solely on aiming for the highest 4, and bleeding their new gamers into the squad, however it has been a troublesome starting.
Julien Stephan‘s facet fought till the tip at PSG final week, and virtually gave the champions a late scare, pulling a purpose again and having one other disallowed with VAR, however they had been finally overwhelmed 3-1 within the capital.
That defeat means Rennes have misplaced all three matches on the street to this point this season although, that means Stephan will probably be glad to be again at Roazhon Park right here, the place they're 4 unbeaten in Ligue 1.
This is the fiftieth time Rennes will host Monaco in all competitions, and they need to enhance on a win ratio of simply 36.7% throughout these conferences, their second-worst in opposition to any membership in France.
Rennes Ligue 1 kind:
Monaco Ligue 1 kind:
Monaco kind (all competitions):
Team News
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Rennes have only one harm concern at current, and that's relating to Jota, as the brand new signing has performed simply 23 minutes since becoming a member of from Al Ittihad earlier than sustaining a muscle harm.
Stephan went extra defensive for the journey to the Parc des Princes final week, so some personnel modifications may happen, together with the return of Albert Gronbaek in assault.
Hans Hateboer and Glen Kamara may even be battling to regain their locations within the beginning XI, however might each begin on the bench once more right here.
Radoslaw Majecki has been out for 2 months, however returned to the bench in midweek and may present stiff opposition to Philipp Kohn, who has been the undisputed primary to this point for Monaco.
Edan Diop is the one first-team participant presently out injured, whereas one other younger attacker, Eliesse Ben Seghir, may return after solely beginning on the bench in midweek.
Hutter has not settled on a again 4 simply but and has modified his choice usually this season, with Wilfried Singo, Jordan Teze and Christian Mawissa Elebi offering extra depth within the centre behind Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu.
Rennes attainable beginning lineup:
Mandanda; Ostigard, Wooh, Seidu; Assignon, Santamaria, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Kalimuendo, Gronbaek
Monaco attainable beginning lineup:
Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo
We say: Rennes 1-2 Monaco
Monaco have gained six of their final 9 Ligue 1 encounters in opposition to Rennes, and will probably be slight favourites right here regardless of the electrical environment anticipated underneath the lights.
Rennes are definitely significantly better at house, however Monaco have confirmed formidable opponents in Ligue 1 to this point and ought to keep their place within the prime two this weekend.
For knowledge evaluation of the probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.
