Rennes boss Frederic Antonetti believes his former club Nice will become a ``stronghold of French football''.

Nice, currently 10th in Ligue 1, are scheduled to move into a new stadium, the Allianz Riviera, next year.

Rennes play at Nice's current home, the Stade Municipal du Ray, tomorrow night and ahead of the clash Antonetti has predicted a bright future for his old employers.

``They (Nice) are a very popular club,'' Antonetti, who was in charge at Nice for four years before joining Rennes in 2009, said.

``With the new stadium, which will be wonderful, in the process of being built and the training centre, they will become a stronghold of French football.

``It is a passionate club. Nice is one of the places where it is difficult to play.

``The Nice fans encourage their team and they are passionate - this is all you ask from the crowd.''

Antonetti's team certainly appear set for a tough assignment given they are taking on a Nice side who are unbeaten in six league games and defeated Paris St Germain within that sequence.

Seventh-placed Rennes have done well on their travels of late, though, winning all of their last three away fixtures.

And Antonetti is optimistic his men, only three points behind second-placed PSG, are good enough to keep that streak going tomorrow.

``It will be a very difficult match,'' Antonetti said.

``But it is at these kinds of places that we can measure the potential of this team.

``Hopefully we will continue our momentum to stay in contact with the top teams.''