Nice vs Rennes – News and Probable Lineups

OGC Nice will face off against Stade Rennais in a Ligue 1 encounter at the Allianz Riviera this Sunday, with both teams keen to secure a result as they aim to meet their season objectives.

Les Aiglons come into this match unbeaten in their last four home games, despite not winning any of them, while Rennes arrives in good form, having won their last three matches, including their most recent away game, as they chase a European qualification spot for the upcoming season.

Match overview

Although Nice has had a generally disappointing season, they reached the Coupe de França semi-finals after defeating Lorient 6–5 on penalties last Wednesday, a result that could boost their morale ahead of the clash with Rennes, who are also fighting for a European spot next season.

Since Claude Puel’s return as manager until the end of the season, there have been some signs of improvement, with the former Mônaco title-winning coach stabilizing the team and curtailing a damaging streak of losses.

Yet, results in Ligue 1 remain modest, as Puel has garnered seven points from 24 possible in his eight league matches since returning in December, achieving one win, four draws, and three defeats. Nevertheless, Nice has at least kept a streak of four unbeaten home games since a 1-0 loss to Angers on December 7.

Currently, Les Aiglons are positioned 15th in Ligue 1 with 24 points from 24 games, 17 points fewer than at the same point last season, but they remain six points clear of the relegation playoff zone and will be keen to further distance themselves from the danger area.

While their journey in the Coupe de França has been notable, it sharply contrasts with their struggles in league and European competitions this 2025–26 season, where they lost seven out of eight matches in the Europa League Group Stage and have only one win in their last 14 Ligue 1 matches, a 4-1 victory at Nantes back in January.

Notably, that win against Nantes is their sole success against a top-tier outfit from Brittany this season, although Nice did defeat Rennes 2-1 at Roazhon Park last October, and they boast a more favorable historical record against Rennes with 48 victories from 112 prior encounters, along with 26 draws and 40 losses.

Since his return, manager Franck Haise has quickly made his mark at Rennes, securing victories in his first two matches, and he will be eager to build on that momentum against Nice, the club he left at the end of 2025.

Haise is implementing a strategic reset at Rennes, starting with a convincing 3–0 victory over Auxerre, and they are currently enjoying a three-match winning streak following the exit of former head coach Habib Beye.

The squad was initially constructed to utilize a three-man defense, a tactic Beye continued to employ before his departure to Olympique Marseille, although results were inconsistent as Rennes had a slow start to the season, drawing six out of eight matches between late August and the end of October while rarely suffering defeats.

This run heightened the pressure on Beye, and although the Breton club briefly returned to form in November and December, another dry spell ultimately ended his tenure in February.

Sebastien Tambouret took over the interim role and led Rennes to an unexpected 3–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at Roazhon Park by shifting away from the back three to adopt a 4-3-3 formation, a tactical change that Haise has maintained since taking the permanent position, even fielding the same starting XI in each of his initial games.

This tactical adjustment has provided better defensive stability, evidenced by their narrow 1–0 victory against Toulouse last weekend, and the consistency in team selection has aided the players in adjusting following a period of frequent changes under Beye as he sought the right approach.

Rennes occupied sixth place for almost three months, a standing that could have ensured European qualification based on the outcome of the Coupe de França, but they have now slipped out of the European battle on goal difference and currently sit seventh with 40 points, tied with AS Mônaco in fifth and Lille in sixth.

The Breton side faces a tough schedule ahead, starting with Sunday’s trip to Nice, followed by a home match against Lille in eight days, and challenging away fixtures at Strasbourg, Lyon, and Marseille later in the season.

Team News

Isak Jansson is anticipated to miss another match for Nice due to a knee injury, while Elye Wahi remains out with an ankle issue. Melvin Bard is reported to be dealing with adductor pain, and Moise Bombito’s participation is doubtful as he recovers from a lower-leg fracture.

Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye are both unavailable due to cruciate ligament injuries, but leading goal scorer Sofiane Diop is expected to return from suspension, whereas midfielder Hicham Boudaoui could face a suspension after accumulating four yellow cards.

For Rennes, Glen Kamara will miss this weekend’s match as a result of an ankle injury, while Jeremy Jacquet continues to manage a shoulder injury, and Przemyslaw Frankowski remains sidelined due to a calf strain.

January signing Arnaud Nordin scored the crucial goal in last weekend’s win over Toulouse and played alongside fellow winter arrival Sebastien Szymanski, with the two already injecting fresh attacking energy and settling into Haise’s starting XI.

Nice probable starting XI:

Dupe; Clauss, Oppong, Dante, Abdi; Vanhoutte, Samson; Cho, Louchet, Diop; Charles

Rennes probable starting XI:

Pray; Nagida, Rouault, Brassier, Merlin; Rongier, Camara, Szymanski; Tamari, Nordin, LePaul

This match is challenging to predict due to various factors, including former players eager to make a statement against their ex-coach and both sides adjusting to relatively new management.

Nonetheless, Nice and Puel seem due for a win, and given their recent strength at home, while a draw is possible, the home side may just have the edge and hand Haise his first defeat as Rennes manager.