Monacovs.Rennes

Adi Hutter's men are yet to win a domestic match in 2025, but earned a valuable three points in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Match preview

After showing no form whatsoever in the past few weeks, Monaco showed up for the big occasion in midweek, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Champions League.

Monaco had not won any of their last four Ligue 1 games, and also suffered a Coupe de France exit to Reims just over a week ago, with their lowest point coming just last weekend, in a defeat to bottom-of-the-table Montpellier.

Unless the hosts arrest that run here, they face the prospect of setting the club's longest winless run in the league for almost six years.

Home form has also deserted them domestically, because after an 11-game unbeaten run at the Stade Louis II, Monaco have now lost two of their last four here, causing them to drop down to fourth.

After five straight domestic away fixtures though, Hutter will be glad to be back in familiar surroundings, especially after rebuilding some confidence with that win over Villa.

That gives Monaco the chance to finish the league phase in the top eight with a win on matchday eight, but facing a trip to Inter Milan suggests that will be far from easy.

For the time being though, Hutter must ensure his side get back on track in Ligue 1, and this could be the perfect fixture in which to do so, given their recent dominance over Rennes.

Monaco have lost just one of the last 14 Ligue 1 meetings with Rennes, and that came way back in 2018, with Hutter winning all three head-to-heads since taking charge.

At home especially, Monaco often feast, having now scored in 15 consecutive home matches against Rennes, so the visiting attack will have to be on form if they are to take anything here.

Very little has gone right for Rennes this season though, with the appointment of Jorge Sampaoli doing little to solve their problems.

Unquestionably the biggest underachievers in Ligue 1 this season, Rennes start the weekend down in 14th, with goal difference the only thing keeping them out of the bottom three.

Sampaoli was hired back in November, but has won just three of his nine games in charge, all coming against either newly-promoted or lower-league outfits.

Even against Ligue 2 Troyes in the Coupe de France, Rennes fell to defeat, and they have suffered the same fate in their last three league encounters.

It has been four years since they lost four in a row in Ligue 1, but their recent away form suggests that it is highly likely they will this weekend.

Rennes are currently in the midst of their longest losing run on the road since February 2005, falling to defeat in their last four matches away from Roazhon Park.

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

L

W

D

L

D

L

Monaco form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

L

W

Rennes Ligue 1 form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Rennes form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Both of Monaco's main injury concerns come up front, with George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun both doubts for this clash with groin and shoulder issues, respectively.

Lacking in attacking options is no problem though when Thilo Kehrer continues to provide goals and assists from defence.

Kehrer opened the scoring in the reverse clash with Rennes earlier this season, repeated the feat last weekend, and was also awarded the assist for Wilfried Singo's goal against Villa on Tuesday.

Rennes will be without full-back Lorenz Assignon due to suspension here, joining fellow defender Alidu Seidu, who is out long term with injury, on the sidelines.

Glen Kamara has not been involved recently because rumours have suggested he will leave the club this month, with Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough and Trabzonspor all in the hunt.

Baptiste Santamaria and Albert Gronbaek have both departed in the past week though, completing loan moves to Nice and Southampton, with Kyogo Furuhashi set to join from Celtic.

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Majecki; Teze, Salisu, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Biereth

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Samba; Nagida, Ostigaard, Wooh; Hateboer, James, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Fofana, Kalimuendo

We say: Monaco 1-0 Rennes

Rennes's last six defeats have all been by a single goal, and their last nine losses to Monaco have all come via the same margin, and they are set to be edged out again given their dismal recent form.

Written by

Andrew Delaney

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