Sat Oct 05 19:31:46 UTC 2024: ## Monaco Aim to Stay Atop Ligue 1 with Rennes Trip
Monaco, who have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, will look to maintain their position at the top of Ligue 1 when they travel to Rennes on Saturday night.
Adi Hutter’s side have remained unbeaten across all competitions, including a dramatic draw in their Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. Despite conceding two high-quality goals, Monaco fought back and secured a point thanks to a 90th-minute penalty from Denis Zakaria.
Their recent form domestically has been equally impressive. Monaco have made the best start to a season since their first Ligue 1 title win in 1960-61, racking up 16 points from their first six games. Only Lens have managed to take points off Hutter’s side, who also enjoyed a dramatic late victory against Montpellier last weekend.
Rennes, however, will provide a stern test for Monaco. The home side, despite a turbulent summer transfer window, will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to PSG last week. While they managed to pull a goal back and had another disallowed by VAR, Rennes have struggled on the road this season, losing all three away games.
Despite their recent struggles, Rennes are unbeaten in Ligue 1 at home and will be hoping to improve their record against Monaco. The two teams have met 49 times in all competitions, with Rennes winning only 36.7% of those encounters.
Key players for Rennes include new signing Jota, who has been hampered by a muscle injury, and Albert Gronbaek, who could return to the starting lineup. Monaco, on the other hand, will be without Edan Diop, while Eliesse Ben Seghir could return from the bench.
Despite Rennes’ home advantage, Monaco, who have won six of their last nine Ligue 1 encounters against their opponents, are slight favorites. The match is expected to be a thrilling contest under the lights at Roazhon Park, with Monaco aiming to stay in the top two and Rennes looking to upset the table-toppers.
First Piper 