A struggling Nice side welcome Rennes to the Allianz Riviera for a Ligue 1 clash on Saturday.
Nice's European dreams have been ended following a disappointing 2023, but Rennes' prospects still hang in the balance.
Match preview
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Having been well in the mix for the minor European places in Ligue 1, Nice's season has fallen apart over the past few months.
Defeat to Basel in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals was the final nail in the coffin for Nice's season, as their slide down the table domestically continued.
A run of seven games without a win was ended by beating Troyes last weekend, but Didier Digard's side still find themselves 11 points off fifth.
Failure to win in any of their last five games here at the Riviera has left supporters scratching their heads at what has happened to the side who were playing so well earlier in the season.
Only six teams have fewer points at home in the division, and they have scored just three goals in that five-game winless run, as well as no clean sheets in their last nine.
Therefore, another fast start may be required to counteract their defensive shortcomings, as three of their last six goals in the league have been scored inside the opening five minutes.
Meanwhile, Rennes still have a lot to play for in the latter stages of the season.
They currently have an identical points tally as to what they had at this stage last season when they finished fourth.
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Bruno Genesio's side currently lie sixth though, which will not qualify for Europe after Toulouse confirmed their spot on the continent by winning the Coupe de France last week.
Rennes trail Lille in fifth by three points, so the battle could go down to the wire, with Lyon also in the mix just behind.
Having qualified for a European competition in five successive seasons, it would be disappointing to miss out so narrowly, so that places huge importance on this game against a side out of form.
Their away form is a concern though, as Rennes have lost six of their nine games on the road since the World Cup.
They confirmed Angers' very early relegation to Ligue 2 last weekend, but it was an extremely nervy afternoon as they fell behind early and had some fortune involving VAR, before winning 4-2.
Team News
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Nice's Youssouf Ndayishimiye missed their trip to Troyes with a sprained knee and is expected to remain out.
Wide men Nicolas Pepe, Sofiane Diop and Alexis Beka Beka are all currently sidelined but should return before the season is up.
Youcef Atal made just a third substitute appearance of 2023 at Troyes in what has been an injury-ravaged season for the Algerian, but fellow defensive duo Joe Bryan and Mattia Viti remain out for the hosts here.
Martin Terrier and Adrien Truffert are both out for the rest of the season for Rennes, while Xeka has also been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Veteran keeper Steve Mandanda is set to play his 500th Ligue 1 match here, a feat matched only by two other players in the 21st century.
Karl Toko Ekambi often enjoys his visits to Nice, as the Rennes attacker has scored in all five of his career trips to the Riviera, but he may have to make an impact off the bench this time around.
Nice possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Atal, Rosario, Dante, Bard; Ramsey, Boudaoui, Thuram; Bouanani, Moffi, Laborde
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Traore, Wooh, Theate, Meling; Santamaria, Bourigeaud, Majer; Doku, Kalimuendo, Gouiri
We say: Nice 1-2 Rennes
Nice's home woes look set to continue as they welcome a side still in the fight for Europe.
Despite not possessing great form on the road, Rennes will hope to take advantage of facing a side without much left to play for.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
