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PSG will be looking to make it four wins in a row in Ligue 1 as they host Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Friday night.
Paris Saint-Germain absolutely thumped defending Ligue 1 champions Lille in their latest outing. Danilo Pereira bagged a brace while Presnel Kimpembe, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe each scored a goal as PSG beat Lille 5-1 away from home.
They've now won three games on the trot and have a 13 point lead at the top of the table over second-placed Marseille. Mauricio Pochettino's men are presently cruising to their eighth league title in the last 10 seasons.
They'll be up against Rennes, who handed them their first league defeat of the season back in October. Bruno Genesio has done a good job with Rennes this season and they are currently fifth in the league table and are still very much in the hunt for a top four berth.
Without further ado, let's take a look at how Paris Saint-Germain are expected to line up against Rennes.
PSG Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma
The competition between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas to become the preferred first-choice goalkeeper has seen both players being unrelenting so far. Donnarumma has now kept three clean sheets in his last four games across all competitions and he is set to start here again.
Right-back - Achraf Hakimi
PSG were happy to welcome Achraf Hakimi back into the mix in the game against Lille after his involvement at AFCON 2021. The Moroccan international turned in a very good performance and will be vital here once again.
Centre-back - Marquinhos
The Paris Saint-Germain captain wasn't at his very best against Lille. He looked a little unsettled at the back on occasion but that's no grounds to not pick him to start a crucial game. Marquinhos is a pillar of this PSG side and he will start against Rennes.
Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe
Sergio Ramos has returned to training. However, Pochettino will not want to rush him and is likely to keep him safe for the Champions League game against Real Madrid next week. As a result, Presnel Kimpembe is likely to keep his place in Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI.
Left-back - Nuno Mendes
Nuno Mendes has been an absolute revelation this season. The 19-year-old is a treat to watch, with his blistering pace, desire and ability to take defenders on and beat them.
PSG Defensive Midfielder - Danilo Pereira
Leandro Paredes was excellent for PSG against Lille. His passing has been exemplary all season and he completed 78 of his 80 attempted passes against Lille. He also had a 100% tackle success rate and won five of his eight duels.
Unfortunately for PSG, he also suffered an adductor injury due to which he has been ruled out of the game against Rennes. Danilo Pereira, who started as a number 6 against Lille, is likely to slot into defensive midfield.
Pereira relished the freedom he was given in the game against Lille and scored two goals to help PSG's cause. But without Paredes in the side, the Portuguese international will need to provide cover for his backline.
Central midfielder - Eric Ebimbe
It's unclear whether AFCON champion Idrissa Gueye will return in time for the game against Rennes. Georginio Wijnaldum is a doubt for this one while Ander Herrera felt some discomfort in his thigh and is unlikely to play here.
As a result, 21-year-old midfielder Eric Ebimbe might get his fourth start of the season. This could be a great opportunity for the Frenchman to impress. Ebimbe can be a tricky customer with his ball progression skills in midfield and he will want to grab this chance by the scruff of its neck.
Central midfielder - Marco Verratti
PSG's diminutive midfield magician Marco Verratti was in top form in PSG's 5-1 thrashing of Lille. He assisted Kylian Mbappe's goal, PSG's fifth on the night, and now has three goal involvements in his last three appearances.
The Italian international looks fit and ready for the rest of the season. He will want to gain more momentum ahead of their Champions League encounter against Real Madrid in midweek. The 29-year-old has been excellent at holding onto the ball and at playing defense splitting passes on occasion.
He is by far PSG's best midfielder and he has been excellent for them over the last couple of months. Pochettino will be hoping that Verratti can keep tapping into that rich vein of form for the remainder of the season.
Left winger - Kylian Mbappe
Neymar Jr. has returned to training but Friday's game will come too early for him. Kylian Mbappe has been Paris Saint-Germain's best player this season. He has scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in 21 Ligue 1 appearances this term.
Mbappe scored PSG's fifth goal in their 5-1 win over Lille last weekend. The 23- year-old, whose future remains unresolved, is undoubtedly PSG's greatest asset right now. His blistering pace and trickery is expected to cause a lot of trouble for the Rennes backline tonight.
Centre-forward - Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has done significantly better playing in a central role as opposed to when he is stationed out on the flanks. The Argentinian international was exceptional against Lille, scoring a goal and bagging an assist.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Mbappe discussed Messi's ability to dominate games when he plays more centrally. The 23-year-old said:
“It’s better when Leo is in the middle? Yes, but I’m not the coach.
“Leo is a player who needs to be on the ball, to feel the game and the match to be involved. I think it’s a good position for him, he’s free, he can move around and take off.
“Me, I can play everywhere. I started in the middle, then on the right and now on the left but I still have a certain freedom in my movements.”
Messi is tipped to turn things around in the second half of the season after a bit of an underwhelming start to life at PSG. He looked sharp against Lille and Pochettino will want Messi to kick on in the same manner and get more wind in his sails ahead of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
Right winger - Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria was taken off at half-time in the game against Lille. He suffered a calf injury but Pochettino allayed the fears of the PSG faithful by revealing that it was nothing serious. He said:
“I don’t think it’s very serious. It’s a leg knock and I really hope he’s available as soon as possible.”
If it is not serious, Di Maria will start for PSG down the right side. The Argentinian international has not been at his best in recent weeks but his qualitiy is undeniable.
