Rennes vs Nice
French Ligue 1
Saturday
13th January 2024
Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the French Ligue 1 fixture between Rennes and Nice.
Rennes vs Nice: Preview
Rennes form analysis
Stade Rennais started this run of games strongly but have since suffered a significant dip in domestic form over their past five Ligue 1 matches. On 26th November they earned an impressive 3-1 home win over Reims thanks to goals from Gouiri, Bourigeaud and Theate. However form deteriorated rapidly as on 4th December they lost 0-2 at home to rivals Marseille after conceding to Aubameyang’s early penalty and Ounahi’s second half strike.
Things stabilized briefly on 9th December as despite a 1-2 loss away at Monaco, they remained competitive thanks to Bourigeaud’s late consolation penalty after strikes from Vanderson and Fofana. But issues emerged again during back to back goalless results on 17th and 21st December away at Toulouse and at home against Clermont, lacking attacking edge. Most recently on 21st December their struggles continued in a disappointing 1-3 home loss to Rennes, with only Kalimuendo’s equalizer to show for brief first half parity before late goals from Doué and Blas’ penalty settled matters.
Nice form analysis
Nice have struggled for consistency over their past five Ligue 1 matches. On 26th November, they scraped past Toulouse 1-0 at home thanks to Moffi’s second half winner. However they failed to build momentum, undone by Mollet’s strike in a 0-1 loss away at struggling Nantes on 3rd December. Nice returned to winning ways on 10th December with a 2-1 home victory over Reims, responding through Boga after Abdelhamid cancelled out Laborde’s opener.
But form dipped again on 16th December as defensive issues cost them in a 1-3 home defeat to Le Havre in the league cup, Moffi missing a penalty before Louchet’s late consolation after an Sabbi brace. Most recently on 21st December Nice got their top flight campaign back on track with an important 2-0 home win over top four rivals Lens earned thanks to a perfect Moffi brace from the spot. Overall, Nice must improve their consistency against midtable sides if they are to sustain a push for European qualification this term.
