PSG vs Rennes – News and Probable Lineups

The opening matchday of the new Ligue 1 season wraps up on Sunday at Parc des Princes, where the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Rennes.

Last season, Les Parisiens secured the championship for the fifth consecutive time, while Stade Rennais clinched the final Europa League position, finishing in sixth place.

Match overview

Though it proved to be one of their most challenging domestic trials in recent years, PSG managed to maintain their momentum, amassing exactly 76 points for the second season in the past three.

Though they were unable to secure the Trophee des Champions last weekend, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Lens, Luis Enrique’s squad is once again predicted to capture the league title for a sixth straight year, which, if achieved, would be the second-longest streak in Ligue 1 history, trailing only Lyon’s seven.

On Sunday, PSG aims to extend their unbeaten streak at Parc des Princes to four matches, while they remain unblemished in their last five home season openers.

This decade, they also have not lost a fixture in August and could reach a seven-match winning streak in the league for this month on Sunday.

The current Ligue 1 and Champions League holders have not been kept off the scoreboard at home in this tournament since Lorient held them to a 0-0 draw on the first matchday of the 2023-24 season.

Les Parisiens have triumphed in their last three home encounters against Rennes across all competitions, thrashing them 5-0 in this very matchup last season.

Franck Haise is starting his first complete season at the helm of Rennes, a team that exhibited great consistency in the league towards the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Since his tenure began in February, the Brittany club has only lost three times in the league, winning eight of their last 12 matches.

However, they will be eager to break a two-match losing streak away from home, where they conceded three goals or more in these last two outings.

Rennes has suffered defeats in their last two Ligue 1 opening matches on the road and have not celebrated victory in their first league encounter as visitors this decade.

In 2026, they have only lost two league games away from home when scoring first, with the most recent being a 3-1 defeat at Lyon in May.

Les Rouge et Noirs may aim to achieve back-to-back Ligue 1 victories over PSG on Sunday for the first time in three years, having beaten them 3-1 at Roazhon Park last season.

Team News

Both Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye were left off the PSG squad list for the Trophee des Champions final due to strong transfer links ahead of the window closure, while Espanha’s World Cup star Ferran Torres is aiming for his first appearance for the French side.

Nuno Mendes will be serving a suspension following his red card against Lens, whereas Lucas Digne made his first outing in that match since arriving from Aston Villa.

Breel Embolo’s future at Rennes could be in jeopardy with reports of him rejecting a move to Atlanta United and connections to Ipswich Town, while Charlie Cresswell will be looking to make his debut for his new team.

Should the Swiss striker depart, Esteban Lepaul may face greater scoring duties, having found the net in four of his last five Ligue 1 matches, and was the league’s top scorer last season.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

PSG probable starting XI

Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Digne; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fernandez; God, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Rennes probable starting XI

Pray; Frankowski, Boudlal, Cresswell, Merlin; Wrinkles; Al-Taamari, Blas, Thomasson, Soumare; Lepaul

Rennes poses a tough challenge with a forward in fine form (Lepaul), and they could potentially secure a positive result against a PSG squad that might be feeling the effects of their busy schedule.