Nice vs Rennes Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Nice have found some form of late as they now come up against a Stade Rennais side that begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting second in Ligue 1.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – beIN Sports Connect
Nice preview: Nice have found form
Despite the neglect of ownership group INEOS, Nice have found some form since the appointment of former Leicester City and Southampton boss Claude Puel – having only survived via the relegation play-off last season.
Nice come into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory over Stade Brest at Stade Francis-le Ble last weekend, turnaround in the second half in that one courtesy of goals scored by Elye Wahi and then Sofiane Diop.
Rennes preview: Impressive Rennes
Stade Rennais begin the match day sitting just a point behind Paris Saint-Germain at the top-of-the-table after they had finished last season very well following the appointment of former Lens and Nice boss Franck Haise.
Rennes head into this one on the back of an impressive 3-0 defeat of Strasbourg at Roazhon Park last weekend, courtesy of a goal from Boulaye Dia before a brace scored by midfielder Sebastian Szymanski.
Nice team news: Defensive injuries
Jonathan Clauss has sustained an ankle injury with Alidu Seidu also having been ruled out, while fellow defenders Moise Bombito, Antoine Mendy and Ali Abdi are all issues for the hosts.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Diouf; Koutoune, Ndayishimiye, Abdelmonem; Mandza, Boudaoui, Witsel, Nkounkou; Hein, Amoura; Wahi
Unavailable: Moise Bombito (Injured), Seidu (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Abergel (Injured)
Questionable: Abdi (Fitness), Clauss (Injured)
Rennes team news: Lepaul still a doubt
Current Ligue 1 top scorer Esteban Lepaul remains a major doubt for Rennes this weekend as he deals with an ankle issue that saw him miss last week’s victory over Strasbourg.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Samba; Ait Boudlal, Cresswell, Rouault; Frankowski, Szymanski, Rongier, Camara, Nagida; Dia, Al Tamari
Unavailable:
Questionable: Lepaul (Injured)
Nice vs Rennes prediction
Nice are in the midst of a change of ownership after INEOS made it clear that they had a lack of interest in their asset. Nice survived narrowly last year but appear to be much steadier under the management of the reliable Puel. Rennes head to the Allianz Riviera in reasonably good form themselves, albeit perhaps fortunate on occasion. Both teams scoring would appear a decent bet for this one down in Southern France.
Nice vs Rennes tip: Both teams to score
