The 2019-20 season in France will officially begin this Saturday, when PSG and Rennes collide in a new edition of the Trophée Des Champions. The reigning Ligue 1 champions enter this game as the clear-cut favourites, but they can t take this game for granted since Rennes are ahead of a historical chance to win a trophy they haven t won in the past. This match will be held at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre in Shenzhen, China, and will kick-off at 12:30 hrs (BST).
It s hard to imagine PSG as an underdog given the strength of their squad, so it shouldn t be surprising to see them as favourites entering the first competitive match of the 2019-20 French season. Thomas Tuchel s men enjoyed a stellar campaign last term since they lost only five out of 38 Ligue 1 fixtures in 2019-20, and most of those defeats came when the club had already secured the league title. But they enter this upcoming campaign with lofty expectations, knowing they must perform better in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League following s last year exit in the Round of 16 against Manchester United. When it comes to the Trophée Des Champions, PSG will play this match for the 12th time and have won in their last six appearances here in a row. History backs them up to be favourites once again.
Team News
Brazilian superstar Neymar is doubtful for this match since he hasn t trained properly amid rumours of a potential exit. There are no other notable absentees for the Ligue 1 giants ahead of this match. They acquired Idrissa Gueye in the past few days in order to offset the loss of Adrien Rabiot, who joined Juventus. PSG have also signed Abdou Diallo, Pablo Sarabia and Ander Herrera this summer.
Rennes
On the other hand, Rennes will play in the Trophée Des Champions for the first time in club s history. They won the right to play in this match after clinching the 2018-19 French Cup title, where they defeated PSG in a thrilling penalty shootout. That match ended 2-2, but Rennes were far more accurate from the spot where it mattered the most and won 6-5 to claim the club s first French Cup title. However, that s where most of the positive end for Rennes ahead of this match. They finished the 2018-19 Ligue 1 season in a disappointing 10th place with 52 points, but the Coupe title will give them the chance to play in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League. But they have lost 11 of the last 13 competitive meetings against their Parisien opponents (W2, L11). Can they pull the upset on Asian soil?
Team News
Rennes do not have any notable absences ahead of this match.
