Igor PAIXAO of Olympique de Marseille celebrate after scores with teammates during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Marseille and Metz at Stade Velodrome on April 10, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Sylvain Thomas/FEP/Icon Sport) - Photo by Icon Sport
Olympique Marseille prepares to host Rennes in a pivotal encounter, marking the ultimate fixture of the Ligue 1 season with significant European qualification implications. The Marseillais are under immense pressure to secure a victory at their home ground, the iconic Vélodrome, to clinch a coveted spot in the prestigious Europa League. Below, we detail the probable lineups, television broadcast information, and match timing for this decisive clash.
Despite their recent triumph against Le Havre, confidence within the Marseille camp remains low heading into the season’s final match. While the three points earned in Normandy offer a glimmer of hope, the team’s performance at Stade Océane raised concerns. The Olympique Marseille squad continues to exhibit defensive vulnerabilities, and its attacking prowess, once formidable under Roberto De Zerbi, now appears diminished.
A fascinating subplot sees Habib Beye, Marseille’s coach, reunite with Franck Haise at the Vélodrome. Haise, Beye’s successor at Rennes after his dismissal in February, has revitalized the Breton side, guiding them to an impressive record of 8 wins, 1 draw, and only 2 defeats in 11 Ligue 1 fixtures.
In stark contrast over the same period in Ligue 1, Olympique Marseille has managed a more modest return of 5 victories, 1 draw, and 5 losses. This highlights the significant challenge facing Habib Beye, who must demonstrate his tactical acumen against a seasoned counterpart and devise effective solutions for his team’s evident struggles.
As Beye reflects on his tenure in Marseille in the coming months, he will find little room to attribute shortcomings to his players or external media narratives. On paper, the Marseille squad possesses superior talent compared to their adversaries, a fact that was also true in previous encounters against Lorient, Nice, and Nantes, which yielded one draw and two defeats. The onus is on him to ensure this final act of the season concludes on a positive note.
The atmosphere within Stade Vélodrome is anticipated to be less than supportive, potentially even hostile. However, the Olympiens have likely grown accustomed to such conditions. Regardless, the outcome of this match is crucial for the 2026-2027 season, as a win would enable Olympique Marseille to seize the 5th position, currently held by the Bretons with a three-point advantage, thereby securing a coveted C3 spot.
historical om-rennes encounters
Rennes and Olympique Marseille have faced each other 117 times in Ligue 1 history. Marseille boasts a superior record with 50 victories, alongside 33 draws and 34 wins for the Breton club. Notably, Rennes has struggled to achieve favorable results when playing at the Vélodrome in recent years.
last five om-rennes fixtures
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.
om-rennes: probable starting lineups
Habib Beye faces several squad challenges, with Nayef Aguerd and Hamed Traoré sidelined for treatment abroad. Additionally, Geoffrey Kondogbia, CJ Egan-Riley, and Bilal Nadir are listed as doubtful for the match.
For the Rennes side, Jérémy Jacquet and Lucas Rosier are unavailable, and key player Brice Samba will miss the game due to suspension.
Olympique Marseille’s probable lineup: Rulli – Pavard, Balerdi, Medina – Weah, Timber, Højbjerg, Emerson – Greenwood, Gouiri, Paixão.
Rennes’ probable lineup: Silistrie – Nagida, Aït-Boudlal, Rouault, Merlin – Rongier, Szymanski, Camara – Blas, Al-Tamari, Lepaul.
om-rennes: kick-off time
The highly anticipated clash between Olympique Marseille and Rennes is scheduled for this Sunday, May 17. The match will commence at 21h00 local time at the Stade Orange Vélodrome.
om-rennes: television broadcast
Fans can watch the OM-Rennes fixture live on Ligue 1+ 2. The broader Ligue 1+ channel will feature comprehensive coverage of the multiplex matches occurring simultaneously.
