Ligue 1 | Gameweek 33

May 10, 2025 at 8pm UK

Roazhon Park

Rennes vs Nice

Match preview

After a run of four consecutive top-six finishes between 2020 and 2023, Rennes have seen their fortunes dip over the past two years, with Saturday night's hosts now languishing in mid-table in Ligue 1, much to the chagrin of the often raucous Roazhon Park crowd.

Les Rouge et Noirs entered this weekend's clash with Nice on the back of back-to-back away defeats, the most recent of which came last Saturday afternoon when goals from Yann Gboho and Aron Donnum either side of half-time proved enough to secure victory for Toulouse.

Last time out, substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga provided a magical moment off the bench, netting his 15th Ligue 1 goal of the 2024-25 campaign to leave the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster behind Ousmane Dembele (21), Mason Greenwood (18) and Jonathan David (16) in the competition for the league's Golden Boot.

With a modest six points from their last five top-flight matches, Rennes currently sit 11th in the Ligue 1 standings with two games remaining, just seven points above Le Havre in the relegation play-off spot and three points behind Auxerre in 10th.

While this cushion between them and the drop means that top-flight football will continue at Roazhon Park next term, there will be significant changes in the Rennes ranks, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Steve Mandanda expected to bid farewell at the end of his contract.

Having missed out on the Champions League qualifying rounds by just four points last season, Nice are determined to avoid a similar fate this time around as they look to extend their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to five games on Saturday night.

Le Gym became the first side to overcome the might of reigning champions and European finalists PSG in the top flight on 25 April, when a brilliant brace from the returning Morgan Sanson and a second-half strike from Youssouf Ndayishimiye secured maximum points at the Parc des Princes.

Nice, who are currently on a three-match winning streak in the league, have moved up to fourth in the Ligue 1 standings ahead of games against Rennes and Brest at the end of the season, and are one point behind third-placed Monaco for the last of the automatic Champions League places.

Despite having fewer shots on target last time out, Le Gym took three points from Reims at the Allianz Riviera on 2 May when former Aston Villa man Sanson scored his third goal in just four games since returning to the first team at the start of April.

Nice have lost their last two visits to the Roazhon Park in Ligue 1, with their last success at the venue coming against Rennes in December 2021, when goals from Kasper Dolberg and Youcef Atal earned Christophe Galtier's side a point.

Recent Performance

Rennes Ligue 1 form:WLWWLL

Nice Ligue 1 form:LLDWWW

Team News

Rennes will be without the services of defender Alidu Seidu, who has been out since the end of November with a serious knee injury.

Les Rouge et Noirs' options at centre-back are further limited by the absence of Jeremy Jacquet, who suffered a calf strain last month.

Ayanda Sishuba, who has made just two appearances for the home side this season, is on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

Nice's Tanguy Ndombele, an experienced player at the top level of European football, is currently sidelined with a groin problem.

At the back, Mohamed Abdelmonem's campaign has been curtailed by a cruciate ligament injury sustained in the win over PSG on 25 April.

Possible starting lineup

Rennes possible starting lineup:

Samba; Wooh, Rouault, Brassier; Assignon, Blas, Kone, James, Truffert; Meite, Kalimuendo-Muinga

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Mendy, Bombito, Bard; Clauss, Boudaoui, Rosario, Sanson, Abdi; Bouanani, Laborde