Two French giants looking to end abysmal spells of form will lock horns at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday lunchtime as Nice play host to Rennes.
Both European-competing teams recently saw their continental campaigns come to disappointing ends and will be determined to turn their fortunes around in the league as well.
Match preview
Nice's Europa League campaign was dead in the water before Adrian Ursea took the reins, and Patrick Vieira's successor was unable to round off their short-lived European venture on a high note as Les Aiglons lost 1-0 to Hapoel Be'er Sheva on the final matchday in Group C.
Rotem Hatuel got the goal which condemned Nice to a fourth-placed finish in the group, but Ursea will be grateful that he can focus entirely on the Ligue 1 season, with Nice already off the pace in the race to secure a European berth.
Les Aiglons are yet to make the net ripple since Ursea took over following a 0-0 draw with Ligue 1 basement side Dijon in the 53-year-old's first game in charge, and despite a relatively strong start to the campaign, Nice have now lost six of their last seven in all competitions.
Nice, who currently occupy 11th spot in the table, are only one point adrift of their weekend opponents Rennes and Bordeaux - both of whom have played a game more - so Ursea could steer his side into the top half of the table should he pick up his maiden victory as Aiglons manager.
In order to do so, Ursea will have to put an end to his side's four-game losing run on home soil in all competitions, although Paris Saint-Germain are the only side to stop Nice from scoring at the Allianz Riviera so far this season.
Rennes have endured similar fortunes in Europe and their first-ever Champions League venture was certainly one to forget, with Julien Stephan's men also finishing rock bottom of their group.
Les Rouge et Noir ended their disappointing Champions League campaign with a 3-1 home defeat to Sevilla on Tuesday evening, with Georginio Rutter's first goal for the club doing little to lift the Rennes spirits as they crashed out with just one point taken from a possible 18 in Group E.
As is the case with Nice, Rennes have simply struggled to juggle the commitments of playing domestically and on the big international stage, and while a Champions League exit is truly disheartening, a silver lining for the Rouge et Noir faithful will be that Stephan can give the league his undivided attention.
With nine losses from their last 11 in all competitions, Rennes are slowly drifting away from the top four and must turn their fortunes around quickly lest they risk a season without European football.
Les Rouge et Noir have struggled for results against Nice in recent times and are winless against their opponents since the 2015-16 Coupe de France, with Les Aiglons winning five of their last nine against Rennes.
Nice Ligue 1 form: WDWLLD
Nice form (all competitions): LLLLDL
Rennes Ligue 1 form: LWLLDL
Rennes form (all competitions): LLDLLL
Team News
Ursea made several changes for Thursday's dead rubber and will revert to full strength here, starting with Walter Benitez coming back in goal for Yoan Cardinale.
However, defender Flavius Daniliuc was forced to sit out the loss to Be'er Sheva with a groin problem and remains a doubt here, while Kasper Dolberg and Youcef Atal are yet to return from adductor and hamstring injuries respectively, although the former has an outside chance of lining up on Sunday.
Hicham Boudaoui will be suspended for next week's trip to Nimes so should start here, while Amine Gouiri, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Jordan Lotomba should all come back in as well.
With regards to Rennes, Nayef Aguerd is expected to make his return to the defence after recovering from coronavirus, while Alfred Gomis could come back for the trip to Nice as well.
However, Serhou Guirassy, Daniele Rugani and Romain Del Castillo remain on the treatment table, along with the COVID-positive Martin Terrier.
Benjamin Bourigeaud will be expected to replace Clement Grenier in the visitors' midfield, while M'Baye Niang could find his spot up top under threat from Adrien Hunou.
Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Danilo, Pelmard, Nsoki; Lotomba, Boudaoui, Schneiderlin, Kamara; Lopes, Gouiri, Reine-Adelaide
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Gomis; Traore, Aguerd, Da Silva, Truffert; Nzonzi, Camavinga, Bourigeaud; Doku, Hunou, Gboho
We say: Nice 1-1 Rennes
Ursea is still figuring out his preferred tactics as he gears up for his third game as Nice manager, but a win over a lowly Rennes would certainly help his standing with the Aiglons faithful. Both sides will be desperate to kickstart a revival in the top flight with no European football to contend with anymore, and while we expect Nice to notch up their first goal of the Ursea reign, Rennes should do enough to come away with a point.
