OM vs Rennes: crucial Ligue 1 clash for european football dreams

The Stade Vélodrome will host a decisive Ligue 1 showdown as Olympique de Marseille (OM) welcomes Stade Rennais FC in a high-stakes finale for European football qualification. The Phocéens must secure all three points against the Breton side to claim the fifth-place finish that guarantees a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League.

Despite last weekend’s hard-fought victory over Le Havre, Marseille’s confidence remains shaky. While the three points in Normandy revived hopes, the performance did little to dispel concerns about the team’s defensive frailties and the offensive decline since Roberto De Zerbi’s departure. Habib Beye returns to the Vélodrome, where he previously coached Rennes before his dismissal in February—a stint that saw him guide the club to eight Ligue 1 wins in eleven matches.

In contrast, Beye’s current Marseille side has managed just five Ligue 1 victories in the same period, alongside five defeats and a single draw. The pressure is on the former defender to prove his tactical acumen against a seasoned counterpart like Franck Haise, while addressing his team’s persistent shortcomings. With a squad theoretically stronger on paper than Rennes’, as evidenced by recent draws against Lorient, Nice, and Nantes, Beye must deliver a positive outcome to silence critics and secure European football for Marseille.

The Vélodrome atmosphere is expected to be far from welcoming, but the home side has grown accustomed to such challenges. This match carries immense significance for the 2026-2027 campaign, as a victory would allow OM to leapfrog Rennes into fifth place, overtaking the Bretons who currently hold the fifth spot with a three-point lead.

Head-to-head: OM and Rennes in Ligue 1

The two sides have clashed 117 times in France’s top flight, with Marseille securing 50 wins, Rennes 34, and 33 matches ending in draws. The Bretons have struggled to assert themselves at the Vélodrome in recent years, making this weekend’s clash a rare opportunity to turn the tide.

Recent OM vs Rennes encounters

• 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 OM vs Rennes

Habib Beye faces an uphill task, with Nayef Aguerd and Hamed Traoré sidelined for treatment abroad. Geoffrey Kondogbia, CJ Egan-Riley, and Bilal Nadir remain questionable for the clash.

Rennes, meanwhile, will be without Jérémy Jacquet and Lucas Rosier, while Brice Samba serves a suspension.

Likely Marseille XI: Rulli – Pavard, Balerdi, Medina – Weah, Timber, Højbjerg, Emerson – Greenwood, Gouiri, Paixão.

Likely Rennes XI: Silistrie – Nagida, Aït-Boudlal, Rouault, Merlin – Rongier, Szymanski, Camara – Blas, Al-Tamari, Lepaul.

Match details: date, time, and broadcast

The Ligue 1 clash between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais FC kicks off at 21:00 CET on Sunday, May 17, at the Stade Orange Vélodrome.

Fans can catch the action live on Ligue 1+ 2, while Ligue 1+ will provide a full multiplex of the matchday’s fixtures.