Marseille vs Rennes preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Marseille will play host to Rennes in this match-day 34 clash in Ligue 1. It might be the final game of the campaign for both sides, but it is relevant in the race for the UEFA Champions League spots.

At the time of writing, Marseille are placed second on the log with 59 points from 32 matches, while Rennes have garnered 38 points from the same number of matches to stay in 11th spot. Les Olympiens might be second on the log, but it is just two points that separate them from Strasbourg that is ranked 6th on the league standings.

Marseille, who finished in 8th spot last season – meaning no European competition distraction for them, made a fine start to the campaign under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton manager came with a lot of prospects and has been touted by many to become a big manager in the next few years.

A 5-1 thumping of Brest on the road announced the arrival of De Zerbi to French football. Mason Greenwood scored twice in the game, with Luis Henrique (brace) and Elyle Wahi contributing the other goals in the emphatic win. Les Olympiens then drew 2-2 with Reims at home before three consecutive wins took them top of the log – Toulouse, Nice, and Lyon.

OM then surprisingly lost 1-0 to Strasbourg on match day 6 for their first defeat of the season. After that defeat, Les Olympiens drew 1-1 with Angers at home before returning to winning ways against Montpellier. In probably the most important game at home this term, OM lost 3-0 to PSG in Le Classique. It was a terrible performance by their standards. However, they returned to winning ways again on the road against Nantes, but a 3-1 home loss to Auxerre just before the November international break meant the problems were still very much present.

Marseille have had so many issues off the pitch this term. In October, Olympique de Marseille’s sporting director, Medhi Benatia, was suspended for three matches following his criticism of match officials after his side’s 3-2 win over Lyon. Benatia then received a three-month ban on January 30. In February, club president Pablo Longoria erupted in rage during Les Phocéens‘ away Ligue 1 loss to Auxerre when the referee’s calls did not go Marseille’s way. The Spaniard is currently serving a 15-game ban. 

However, on the pitch, they are looking strong to finish second behind champions PSG. Les Phocéens, having lost three times in March, have recovered to win three of their past five matches. Should they make it to the UEFA Champions League, it will be regarded as a success for RDZ in his first season with the club.

On the other hand, Rennes made a fine start to the 2024-25 campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Lyon at home. Benjamin Bourigeaud, Amine Gouiri (who is now on the books of Marseille), and Henrik Wendel scored for Les Rouges et Noirs. That win was then followed by losses to Strasbourg and Reims, before they recovered to beat relegated Montpellier 3-0 at home. In the next nine Ligue 1 games, Rennes won just three games and finished the year in 12th spot.

At the turn of the year, Rennes hit a poor run of form that left them winless in five games in all competitions (dumped out of Coupe de France by Troyes). The dismal run led to the sacking of Jorge Sampaoli, and Habib Beye was named the new head coach of Rennes in January 2025.

Beye oversaw a run of four wins out of five games in February to get Rennes back on track in the race for survival. In the past eight games in Ligue 1, Rennes have won three, but are set for another season in the top flight. After Rennes’ recent loss to Toulouse, Habib Beye expressed his frustrations as he criticised the performance of his players, describing them a clinically dead team. 

“I told them I have a dead team, a clinically dead team,” the French-Senegalese tactician said.

“What worries me, and I’m primarily responsible for this, is that this team doesn’t resemble what we would like it to be.

“If we don’t have our right state of mind, we risk experiencing an end of season which will be difficult and which will surely ruin everything we have done until now to put the club back where it should be.”

In the recent two meetings between Marseille and Rennes, it has been shared one apiece in terms of wins. However, Marseille have won three of the past four Ligue 1 meetings they have hosted at the Velodrome.

Match tickets

The epic match at Orange Velodrome in Marseille kicks off on Saturday, 17th May 2025 at 20:00 GMT.  Marseille’s 67,000-capacity stadium will be playing host to this fixture between the two sides.

Getting Marseille v Rennes tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels. 

Team news

Line-ups

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have battled injuries all season, and will be hoping his side can get better in that regard next season. Meanwhile, they will still be unable to call upon centre-back Luiz Felipe, who picked up a rare eye injury in March. In addition, Spaniard Ruben Blanco is just fighting back from a serious knee injury. 

Marseille possible XI: Rulli, Murillo, Balerdi, Kondogbia, Garcia; Højbjerg, Bennacer, Luis Henrique, Greenwood, Rabiot, Gouiri

Alidu Seidu and Mikayil Faye remain long-term absentees for Rennes. While 17-year-old Mohamed Kader Meite, who scored against Lyon in late April, could start again up front. The influential Ludovic Blas should also start following his return from injury.

Rennes possible XI: Samba; Assignon, Rouault, Brassier, Truffert; Matusiwa, Cisse, Fofana; Blas, Kalimuendo, Meite

Prediction

Marseille have shown some improvements in Ligue 1 this term and are keen to end the season on a high under Roberto De Zerbi. As for the fans, getting your Marseille tickets early should be non-negotiable ahead of this final home game of the season.

On the other hand, Rennes have also done well for themselves since Habib Beye came on board, and they will also be looking to finish well. Rennes have played the fewest draws in Ligue 1 this term (2), so a winner should be expected after 90 minutes.

Judging by Marseille’s strong form against Rennes at home, they should take the win.  

Marseille 2-1 Rennes

Categorised in: The Football Forum Blog

This post was written by meg