Rennes vs Marseille Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Jorge Sampaoli takes on his former club as Stade Rennais take on an Olympique de Marseille side that will still be striving to get themselves involved in the Ligue 1 title race.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 11th January, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports
Rennes Preview: Revolution at Rennes
Former Argentina and Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli is in charge of Stade Rennais that are expected to become more entertaining to watch as the Argentine coach gets his intense style of football implemented into his Rennes players but things have been inconsistent of late.
The hosts come into this one on the back of a thrilling and typically entertaining clash but they suffered a 3-2 loss to Nice at the Allianz Riviera this evening with Arnaud Kalimuendo and Adrien Truffert notching for a Rennes side that showed signs of encouragement.
Marseille Preview: De Zerbi’s Marseille
Olympique de Marseille come into this one on the back of an impressive 5-1 demolition of struggling Le Havre at Stade Velodrome last weekend thanks to goals from Valentin Rongier, Bilal Nadir, Neal Maupay, Elye Wahi and Ulisses Garcia.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have been left frustrated with some silly dropped points, especially at home, in the first-half of this campaign but they do begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting seven points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain at the moment.
Rennes Team News: Potential Samba debut
Rennes have spent over £30 million this month already with the arrivals of Seko Fofana and Brice Samba. The latter could make his debut between the sticks for the hosts, whilst Alidu Seidu remains sidelined due to an ACL injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Hateboer, Ostigard, Faye; Assignon, James, Matusiwa, Truffert; Blas, Gronbaek; Kalimuendo
Unavailable: Seidu (Injured)
Questionable: Samba (Injured)
Marseille Team News: Key doubts
Defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia is an injury doubt for this weekend due to a calf issue. Marseille are also likely to be without Chancel Mbemba and Ulisses Garcia, whilst key attacking midfielder Amine Harit is a definite absentee.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Rulli; Michael Amir Murillo, Balerdi, Cornelius; Luiz Henrique, Nadir, Rongier, Merlin; Greenwood, Rabiot; Maupay
Unavailable: Harit (Injured), Carboni (Injured), Moumbagna (Injured)
Questionable: Ruben Blanco (Injured), Mbemba (Injured), Ulisses Garcia (Injured), Kondogbia (Injured)
Rennes vs Marseille Prediction
Rennes are expected to be even more entertaining than they already have been the longer that Jorge Sampaoli is in the dugout. With obvious investment in this transfer window, too, their level is also expected to rise. Marseille are naturally entertaining, too, with De Zerbi’s style of football and the personnel at their disposal. This has the potential to be a real thriller this weekend and should be worthwhile watching for the neutral.
Rennes vs Marseille Tip: Over 2.5 goals
