Nice vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-01-02 20:00.
[p]After a brief pause for Christmas and New Year, Ligue 1 restarts with a clash between Nice and Rennes, who are having contrasting seasons. Out of the pair, it’s Nice who are enjoying the better, sitting sixth ahead of the resumption, thanks in no small part to a run of just one defeat in their last 11 league matches (W5, D5).[/p]
[p]It’s hard to see another defeat being added to their tally on home soil, where they’re unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season (W4, D3) – one of just two teams, along with runaway leaders PSG, who can boast such a record. Those games haven’t been short of entertainment either, as six have seen both teams score, while the only one that didn’t was Nice’s famous 8-0 drubbing of Saint-Étienne. [/p]
[p]While Rennes’ bottom-half position, and five-point gap to the relegation zone would suggest they’ve struggled this term, things have improved markedly since Jorge Sampaoli’s arrival. Under his guidance, Rennes have won two of their four league games (L2) to steer clear of immediate danger, but with this the first of successive games against top-six sides, they can’t rest easy just yet. [/p]
[p]That rings especially true given their miserable away league form, with the Red and Blacks losing seven of their last eight such games (D1). The last three of those concerningly came without reply, and with a record of just two wins from their last 13 Ligue 1 away games held on a Friday (D4, L7) – two of which came against Nice (D1, L1) – history suggests their away struggles will continue here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Badredine Bouanani has scored in successive league games for Nice, both of which were his side’s second goal of the day. Also scoring in back-to-back matches for his side, full-back Lorenz Assignon has seen four of his five goals for Rennes arrive after the 70th minute. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rennes’ one first-half away goal this term is a joint-league low.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]