The Ligue 1 season resumes this weekend with another series of crucial matches set to be played, as Rennes will travel to face Monaco at Stade Louis II on Sunday. Monaco has been solid this campaign and has the advantage heading into this contest.
Rennes has had a disappointing season and currently sits seventh in the Ligue 1 standings. Last time out they were able to hold Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw which can potentially end the French giants monopoly in Ligue 1. With two matches left, they would want to take over the fifth position from Marseille and qualify for UEFA Europa Conference League.
🤯 What does that big result in Rennes mean for the title race? pic.twitter.com/woFSzW9PzC
— Ligue1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 9, 2021
Meanwhile, Monaco is fighting Lyon for a UEFA Champions League spot next campaign and would also want to keep their narrow title chances alive, as they trail the league leaders Lille by 5 points with two matchdays left. Therefore they cannot afford to lose points this Sunday. Les Monegasques came out victorious in their latest league clash after winning 1-0 against Reims.
🏆 @coupedefrance 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 🙌
We’ll face #PSG in the 2020/21 French Cup final next Wednesday. Brilliant, boys 🥳 #GFAASM pic.twitter.com/Mf3izBU5av
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 13, 2021
Coming into this game, they will be fired up as they thrashed Vallieres, a fourth-tier team, 5-1 on Thursday and reached the French Cup final after an 11-year drought.
TEAM NEWS
Krepin Diatta has been excluded from the squad that’ll face Rennes after testing positive for coronavirus. Stephan Jovetic remains on the injured list.
Monaco Probable Lineup- Lecomte; Sidibe; Maripan; Disasi; Henrique; Tchouameni; Fofana; Aguilar; Fabregas; Volland; Ben Yedder
[PROS]
𝐃𝐞́𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞́𝐬 👊
—#AllezRennes#ToutDonner 💪🔴⚫ pic.twitter.com/AYD10I4DVd— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) May 14, 2021
Eduardo Camavinga and Stevan N’Zonzi served their suspensions in the match against PSG and are back in the squad to face Monaco. Jonas Martin and Adrien Truffert are injured at the moment and have been ruled out of this fixture.
Rennes Probable Lineup- Gomis; Traore; Da Silva; Aguerd; Maouassa; N’Zonzi; Camavinga; Tait; Doku; Bourigeaud; Terrier
GAME CHANGERS
Wissam Ben Yedder has been in exceptional form for Monaco in Ligue 1 this campaign. With 19 goals and 7 assists in 35 league matches this season, he’s been the go-to guy for Nico Kovac’s side.
Finale 🙏🏼❤️🇲🇨 pic.twitter.com/tZ8lDajtrZ
— Wissam Ben Yedder (@WissBenYedder) May 13, 2021
The 30-year-old striker is lethal in front of the opposition goal and has a knack for setting up some as well. His striking partnership with Kevin Volland will act as a nightmare for the opposition defence.
Benjamin Bourigeaud is as technical and clinical as they come and has established himself as being one of the top players in French football outside of the “big four” (PSG, Monaco, Lyon and Marseille).
Although a midfielder, the Frenchman can be deployed as a winger on either wing and is also a creative playmaker when acting in the centre of the park. His playmaking, versatility and his ability to find the net from long range can act as a game-changer for Rennes.
PREDICTIONS
Under Niko Kovac, Monaco has been a dominant power in Ligue 1 and would want to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next campaign. While Rennes is yet to live up to their potential this season, they are fully capable to achieve a promising outcome this weekend. FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 win for Monaco.
