Nice vs. Rennes: Ligue 1 Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Get ready for an exciting match between Nice and Rennes in Ligue 1! Check out this match preview for the latest odds and predictions to help you make the most out of your sports betting experience.

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Daniel A.
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 Nice vs. Rennes: Ligue 1 Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Nice vs. Rennes: Ligue 1 Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Nice and Rennes will meet at the Allianz Riviera on Friday for the first Ligue 1 match of the New Year, making it three consecutive seasons in which the two teams have met.

Les Aiglons have yet to lose a home match in the French top division, but their Breton opponents will be looking for their first road victory.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Just before Christmas, Nice almost avoided disgrace in the Coupe de France by edging out Corte, a National three club, despite being down to 10 men and down by a goal in the first half due to Yael Nandjou's dismissal.

After that, Tanguy Ndombele scored to send the match to penalties, where a perfect series of five kicks saved the Ligue 1 club's pride.

In their last league match, Franck Haise's squad drew 1-1 away to relegation-plagued Montpellier HSC after wasting two one-goal leads.

So, Nice is now in sixth place, just below Lyon and Lille, who are also vying for the coveted top-four spot.

Along with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Les Aiglons are one of just two teams in France's top division this season that has not lost a home game. Les Aiglons also enter their first match of 2025 on a lengthy scoring run.

Haise and company will be looking to continue Nice's winning streak against Rennes, who have only managed a draw in their last 18 league encounters. Nice's nine-game winning streak is the club's best since April 2021.

Although this is the third year in a row that the teams have played in the first game of the new year, the last two meetings were in Rennes, and the hosts won both times (2-1 in 2023 and 2-0 in 2024).

However, Les Rennais has already fired their management for the season and is currently in 12th position in Ligue 1, four points above the relegation zone when this matchup occurs.

After Julien Stephan stepped down as coach, the team's performance improved under Jorge Sampaoli, a seasoned veteran who has led them to three wins in five games, including a recent 2-0 league triumph against Angers at home.

In the most recent tournament, he won a trophy for Rennes, who defeated fourth-tier host Bordeaux 4-1 after an Adrien Truffert goal tied the game against fading giants Bordeaux.

Despite this, Les Rouge et Noirs have yet to secure an away victory in Ligue 1, losing six of their seven road games. Moreover, the Breton team has gone three games without scoring in that stretch.

Nice x Rennes Team News

As the new year begins, Nice coach Franck Haise is again dealing with an injury crisis, as many starters will miss action due to illness or injury. Notable absentees include Terem Moffi, Nice's leading scorer from the previous season, Morgan Sanson, a senior center back, and Dante, another starter.

The hosts are missing Victor Orakpo, Jeremie Boga, and Antoine Mendy, who are crucial in their offensive style and frequently expose Marcin Bulka. Among goalkeepers in Ligue 1 this season, the Polish international has the most significant save percentage at 77%.

And up front, Gaetan Laborde should have Evann Guessand to thank; Guessand has scored six goals in the league for his side.

Arnaud Kalimuendo, a forward for Rennes, has scored six goals in the French Ligue 1 this season and also found the back of the net in their cup victory over Bordeaux.

There are a few injury concerns for the visitors heading into their first 2025 match, but Alidu Seidu (ACL) will not be among them.

The purchase of Seko Fofana from Al-Nassr further deposed Glen Kamara, the out-of-favor midfielder who had been linked with a return to Britain during the January transfer window, and he is once again destined for a bench spot.

Our Predictions

Nice to win @ 2.24 on Sky247.ng

With more than 200 shots attempted and faced, Nice is the only Ligue 1 team to do so this season. Nice ranks second in shots per match, behind only PSG.

The matchup between Les Aiglons and Rennes, two teams that struggle on the road, could be wide open. Les Aiglons are likely to prevail.

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Nice Rennes