Unbeaten Nice seek a continuation of their outstanding start to the Ligue 1 season when they welcome Rennes to the Allianz Riviera on Sunday.
The league-leading side are favourites to pick up the victory in the 11th round against a team that have secured one point from an available nine in the competition.
Match preview
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Francesco Farioli probably never imagined his side leading Ligue 1 after 10 games, but Nice were ahead of favourites Paris Saint-Germain before the commencement of the round — PSG provisionally leapfrogged them after beating Montpellier 3-0 on Friday.
The undefeated side have been beneficiaries of a backline that has conceded four goals all season, by far the best defensive record in the division.
With five consecutive shutouts in the competition, in which the last four matches have been 1-0 victories, the Eaglets seek another clean sheet to give themselves a chance of retaining first place at the end of gameweek 10.
It remains to be seen if Nice's unbeaten start to the season is sustainable, but Farioli's team are expected to better last season's ninth-place finish under Didier Digard.
Be that as it may, an improvement at home is imperative if the Eaglets are to thrive this term — they have picked up two victories from five on their turf despite losing none.
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As for Rennes, European exertions have seen last season's fourth-placed team endure a mixed start to 2023-24, with the Red and Blacks currently eighth.
Facing Panathinaikos in Greece may have contributed to the team's inability to defeat struggling Strasbourg at home last weekend, and the form guide does not favour Bruno Genesio's men.
One victory in five in all competitions is a disappointing return for Genesio, whose team have been defeated in two of their recent three Ligue 1 games.
Having the fourth-worst away record does little for confidence for a side that are winless on their travels this term, scoring twice in four games.
Nevertheless, three of those games have been draws, and a similar result at high-flying Nice will be acceptable for Rennes this weekend.
Team News
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Nice are without the suspended Youcef Atal, who is serving a seven-match ban for over a social media post relating to the Israel-Gaza war.
Jordan Lotomba and Sofiane Diop are nearing returns from respective thigh injuries, but Sunday's game could come too soon for the pair.
Even though Terem Moffi has not found the back of the net since scoring at PSG in mid-September, the Nigerian could be restored to the lineup to replace Evann Guessand as the central striker.
Enzo Le Fee is Rennes' only injury doubt, with the summer arrival not expected to start in this weekend's encounter in Nice.
Ludovic Blas, Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo have each netted two league goals this term, and Genesio could lean on the trio in attack on Sunday.
Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Rosario, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Boudaoui; Boga, Moffi, Laborde
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Assignon, Omari, Belocian, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Matic, Doue; Blas, Kalimuendo, Gouiri
We say: Nice 1-0 Rennes
This season's pattern suggests that a draw will not be surprising in what could be a low-scoring affair in Nice, but the home side are backed to edge Sunday's game over Rennes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
