AS Monaco Vs Rennes

Monaco will be looking to capitalize on their recent midweek victory when they host Rennes at the Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Despite not securing a domestic win in 2025, the team earned an important 3 points in the Champions League earlier this week.

The team, under the guidance of Adi Hutter, has struggled in recent weeks, with no victories in their last four Ligue 1 fixtures. Their latest setback came in a disappointing Coupe de France loss to Reims just over a week ago. To add to the frustration, Monaco suffered an unexpected defeat against Montpellier, who sit at the bottom of the league table. If Monaco does not turn things around in this upcoming match, they are at risk of enduring their longest winless run in Ligue 1 for nearly six years.

Their domestic form has been lackluster, especially at home, where they have failed to maintain their previous strong performances. Monaco had gone on an 11-match unbeaten streak at the Stade Louis II, but they have since lost two of their last four games on home turf, resulting in their slip to fourth place in the standings. However, after a challenging stretch of five consecutive away games, Hutter will be eager to return to the comfort of their home stadium. The 1-0 win against Aston Villa in the Champions League has provided them with a boost of confidence, and they now have the opportunity to close out the league phase in the top eight with a win in this match.

Yet, as they look ahead to a tough away game against Inter Milan, it is clear that their journey back to form in Ligue 1 will not be easy. Despite these challenges, this fixture against Rennes could offer the ideal opportunity for Monaco to reset and start climbing back up the league table. Their record against Rennes is formidable, with Monaco losing only one of the last 14 encounters between the two sides in Ligue 1, and that defeat came all the way back in 2018. Under Hutter's leadership, Monaco has been victorious in all three of their meetings with Rennes, making this match one that offers a sense of optimism.

Monaco’s dominance in recent years against Rennes, particularly at home, should not be overlooked. They have scored in each of their last 15 home games against Rennes, demonstrating their attacking prowess at the Stade Louis II. For Rennes to have any hope of taking points from this match, they will need to perform at their best offensively, as Monaco’s attacking unit has typically outclassed them on their own turf.

On the other hand, Rennes has been having a difficult season, and things have only seemed to worsen since the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli. Rennes started the weekend in 14th place in the standings, with their goal difference the only factor preventing them from slipping into the relegation zone. Since Sampaoli took over in November, the team has had limited success, winning only three of their nine games under his management. These victories came against newly-promoted sides or teams from lower divisions, underscoring the challenges Sampaoli has faced in getting his team to compete at the highest level.

Even their Cup run was marred by disappointment, as Rennes was knocked out by Ligue 2 side Troyes in the Coupe de France, a further blow to their morale. Their struggles have extended to their recent league form, as Rennes has suffered defeats in their last three league matches. This has been a particularly tough spell for them, as it marks their longest losing streak in Ligue 1 since 2019, and their overall form has shown little improvement.

Rennes’ away form has also been a major concern this season. The team has lost their last four matches on the road, marking their longest losing streak away from home since 2005. This trend makes them heavy underdogs heading into their clash with Monaco, especially given the home side’s superior record against them in recent years. Rennes’ poor results on the road, combined with their struggles in both domestic and cup competitions, suggest that their prospects for this match are grim.

Rennes’ form under Sampaoli has been far from reassuring, with the team’s performances failing to live up to expectations. The lack of consistency in their play, both defensively and offensively, has been a significant issue for the club. The team’s struggles to adapt to Sampaoli’s style of play have been evident, and it is unclear whether the Argentine coach can turn things around before the end of the season. For now, Rennes finds itself stuck in a downward spiral, with little sign of progress.

Monaco, in contrast, will be eager to build on their recent European success and regain their rhythm in Ligue 1. The squad has shown flashes of potential, particularly in their Champions League victory over Aston Villa, and will hope that this win can serve as a springboard for better domestic performances. Hutter has a talented group of players at his disposal, and while their form in Ligue 1 has been inconsistent, this match against Rennes presents an opportunity to build momentum and move up the table.

The clash between these two teams at the Stade Louis II will be a significant one for both sides. Monaco is aiming to solidify their position in the top half of the table and avoid a prolonged winless streak, while Rennes is desperately seeking to avoid further losses and find some stability under Sampaoli. Given Monaco’s dominant record against Rennes, particularly at home, the home team will enter this match as strong favorites. For Rennes, it will take a monumental effort to break their poor form and secure a positive result in this encounter. As the teams take to the pitch, it will be clear that Monaco has the upper hand, but whether they can capitalize on their advantage remains to be seen.