Preview: Rennes vs Paris Saint-Germain - prediction, team news, lineups

Paris Saint-Germain begin their Ligue 1 title defence on Sunday when they open the new campaign at Roazhon Park against Rennes.

The exceptional heatwaves this summer caused the change of venue from the Parc des Princes to Brittany, with PSG’s home incurring severe damage.

Match preview

Franck Haise begins his first full season in charge of Rennes, a side who were among the most consistent in the league down the stretch of 2025-26.

Since his arrival in February, the Brittany club have suffered just three defeats domestically, winning eight of their final 12 league games last term.

On Sunday they can increase their Ligue 1 winning run at Roazhon Park to four matches and go unbeaten in five straight home games in this competition.

Rennes have won their opening home contest in the top flight in each of the past three seasons, conceding just once overall during that run.

In 2026, Haise has suffered just one defeat at home in this competition as the Rennes boss, when Lille beat them 2-1 back in March.

Les Rouge et Noirs can win consecutive Ligue 1 meetings with PSG on Sunday for the first time in three years after beating them 3-1 at Roazhon Park last season.

Last season may have been their toughest Ligue 1 victory in recent times, but PSG ultimately persevered, collecting exactly 76 points for the second time in the last three campaigns.

Luis Enrique’s side are once again favoured to win the league for a sixth consecutive occasion, which, if successful, would inch them very close to the Ligue 1 record of seven set by Lyon.

PSG won four of their last five away games in Ligue 1 last season, keeping clean sheets in those four wins, before losing the final outing of 2025-26 at Paris FC (2-1).

They have yet to lose an August fixture this decade and can stretch their winning run in the league this month to seven matches on Sunday.

The reigning Ligue 1 and Champions League winners are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 opening fixtures away from home, while dropping points in only one of those instances (1-1 at Toulouse in August 2023).

Les Parisiens have failed to win four of their six matches at Roazhon Park this decade, last winning there in 2025 (4-1), and they also come into this one on the back of losing the Trophee des Champions to Lens.

Rennes pre-season form:

Paris Saint-Germain pre-season form:

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

Team News

We could see Breel Embolo leave Rennes between now and the end of the transfer window as he completes a move to MLS, while Charlie Cresswell will seek his first appearance for his new team.

Esteban Lepaul could have a lot more goalscoring responsibilities if the Swiss striker leaves, and the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 last season has netted in four of his last five Ligue 1 outings.

Both Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye were omitted from the PSG team sheet in the Trophee des Champions, another hint that the pair are on the way out amid links with the Premier League, while Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres is seeking his first cap for the French giants.

Nuno Mendes will be suspended following his red card against Lens, while Lucas Digne made his first appearance in that match since signing from Aston Villa.

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Samba; Frankowski, Boudlal, Cresswell, Merlin; Rongier; Al-Taamari, Blas, Thomasson, Soumare; Lepaul

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Rennes 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain

Rennes are a formidable opponent with a striker in excellent form (Lepaul), and we believe they can pull out a result against a PSG side that may be a little fatigued with their demanding schedule.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.