Olympique de Marseille faces Stade Rennais in a high-stakes Ligue 1 finale this weekend, with a Europa Conference League spot on the line for the home side. The Vélodrome faithful will demand nothing short of a victory if Marseille is to overtake Rennes in the standings and secure the fifth-place finish that currently eludes them.
Despite a hard-fought win over Le Havre in their previous outing, Marseille’s form remains a cause for concern. The defensive frailties exposed in Normandy have raised doubts about their ability to contain Rennes’ attacking threats. Without the flair that characterised Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure, the team’s potency up front has dwindled, leaving supporters questioning whether they can grind out a result against a well-organized Rennes side.
Habib Beye returns to the Vélodrome as Marseille’s head coach, facing off against Franck Haise, the man who replaced him in Rennes. Haise has revitalized the Breton outfit, steering them to eight Ligue 1 wins in eleven matches, a stark contrast to Marseille’s own patchy run of five victories, one draw, and five defeats during the same period. Beye’s challenge is clear: outmaneuver a former colleague while addressing the glaring defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued his team all season.
The stakes could not be higher. A victory for Marseille would not only secure the fifth-place finish but also hand Rennes a sixth-place outcome—currently occupied by the Breton side with a three-point advantage. The Vélodrome’s atmosphere, often a cauldron of noise, is unlikely to offer much comfort, but the players will need to rise above the hostility and deliver under pressure.
Head-to-head: Marseille vs Rennes in Ligue 1
Historically, Marseille has held a slight edge over Rennes in their 117 Ligue 1 encounters, with 50 wins compared to Rennes’ 34. However, the Breton side has struggled to impose themselves at the Vélodrome in recent years, making this weekend’s clash a chance to rewrite their narrative.
Recent encounters between Marseille and Rennes
- 17/05/2025: Olympique de Marseille 4-2 Stade Rennais FC
- 03/12/2023: Olympique de Marseille 2-0 Stade Rennais FC
- 18/09/2022: Olympique de Marseille 1-1 Stade Rennais FC
- 19/09/2021: Olympique de Marseille 2-0 Stade Rennais FC
- 10/03/2021: Olympique de Marseille 1-0 Stade Rennais FC
Predicted lineups for Marseille vs Rennes
Marseille will likely be without defensive stalwarts Nayef Aguerd and Hamed Traoré, both sidelined abroad. The availability of Geoffrey Kondogbia, CJ Egan-Riley, and Bilal Nadir remains uncertain ahead of kickoff.
Rennes, meanwhile, will be missing Jérémy Jacquet and Lucas Rosier, while goalkeeper Brice Samba is suspended. The probable starting elevens are as follows:
Marseille (probable XI): Rulli – Pavard, Balerdi, Medina – Weah, Timber, Højbjerg, Emerson – Greenwood, Gouiri, Paixão.
Rennes (probable XI): Silistrie – Nagida, Aït-Boudlal, Rouault, Merlin – Rongier, Szymanski, Camara – Blas, Al-Tamari, Lepaul.
When and where to watch Marseille vs Rennes
This decisive Ligue 1 showdown is set for Sunday, May 17, with a 21:00 kickoff at the Stade Orange Vélodrome. Fans can catch all the action live on Ligue 1+ 2, while Ligue 1+ will simulcast the full matchday coverage.
