This game should be interesting. Nice have a poor record here in Rennes and had not posted a win in over a decade before winning 3-0 last season, that was their glory season, a fourth placed finish out of nowhere and now normal service has been resumed, they are against in lower midtable, which in terms of budget and size, is perfectly acceptable and back to their usual struggles on the road, with a 1-1-7 record away from home with just three goals scored.

A little revenge on the cards for Rennes I feel and time for an improvement, they are getting dangerously close to the drop zone and are too good for that . They have struggled with injuries, but today, only holding player Vincent Pajot who has played only once since October is in the treatment room , although winger Jonathan Pitroipa (18-0-4) is missing for personal reasons, a big improvement over earlier in the season. Key offensive player Romain Alessandrini has been struggling for months with a niggling injury, but finally looked close to his best before the Christmas break with three goals and two assists in three starts and would not have been risked in the cup last week if not at least close to full fitness.

The visitors arrive without midfielder Mahamane Traoré, winger Jérémy Pied, centre back  Nemanja Pejcinovic (12-1-0 ... Nice have conceded an eyewatering 21 goals in the eight away matches he has missed over the last two seasons), the situation in the middle of the backline is compounded with another starting central defender in Mathieu Bodmer (13-0-1), also missing out. On the plus side, top striker Dario Cvitanich returns after being allowed to go home to Argentina last week, but the defensive losses look key. Nice also have a degree of safety in the league now and a cup quarter final in midweek, which they might prioritise.1.5 units Rennes -0.5 ball 2.16 asian line/Ibramarket.

Rennes : Costil , Diallo,Armand, Kana-Biyik, Danzé, M'Bengue, Emerson, Moreira,  Alessandrini, Bakayoko, Féret, Doucouré, Hunou, Konradsen, Makoun,Oliveira, Romero, Kadir.

Nice:Ospina, Verones, Kolodziejczak, Gomis, G. Puel, Palun, Genevois, Amavi,Abriel, Digard, Brüls, Eysseric, Mendy, Bruins, Bauthéac, Cvitanich, Maupay, Bosetti.

Good Luck.