Brestvs.Lyon

Les Pirates began the year with a 2-0 defeat at Angers, dropping them down to 12th in the table, while OL pulled out a 1-0 triumph over Montpellier HSC.

Match preview

What will be a demanding month at Stade Brestois began on a difficult note, as they saw a three-match winning run across all competitions end last weekend.

That was the first of seven competitive fixtures that the side from Brittany will play in January, with their previous defeat being the first time they had failed to score since a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in a November Champions League fixture.

Eric Roy's side enter this contest on a three-match home-winning run across all competitions, suffering just one defeat in their previous seven league games at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

While they are already assured of a place in the Champions League knockout stage, Brest have not been able to duplicate their domestic success from last season, claiming 19 points thus far, nine fewer than they had at this stage of the 2023-24 campaign.

One thing they have done well in the league is play solid defensively in Brittany, conceding just 16 goals at Stade Francis-Le Ble, the lowest amount at home among sides present in the French top flight all year round.

This weekend, Brest have an opportunity to win consecutive top-flight home contests against Lyon for the first time since 1979-1982 (three), claiming a 1-0 triumph in this exact fixture a season ago.

Off the field, Olympique Lyonnais are dealing with their share of financial difficulties, but that has not hindered their recent performances on the field.

Pierre Sage's side have points in 11 of their previous 12 competitive contests, with their only defeat over that stretch coming away to the league leaders Paris Saint-Germain (3-1).

They are already assured of a place in the knockout portion of the Europa League, and amid the sanctions levied against them domestically, Les Gones are still fifth in the Ligue 1 table, just two points below Monaco for a place in the Champions League group stage next season.

Lyon have points in six of their previous seven top-flight affairs away from home but are in danger of losing consecutive league fixtures as the visitors this weekend for the first time since December 2023.

Lately, they have been nearly perfect when finding the back of the net in this competition, winning 12 consecutive matches in the top flight when doing so.

While Brest are well off their pace from 2023-24, Lyon are well ahead of where they were at this stage of the previous campaign, collecting 28 points this time around, 15 more than they had after 16 matchdays a season ago.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

L

L

W

L

W

L

Brest form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

L

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

W

D

W

W

L

W

Lyon form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

W

Team News

Not only do Brest have a busy schedule this month, but they also have plenty of players currently nursing injuries, including Bradley Locko (lower leg), Julien Le Cardinal (hamstring) and Jonas Martin (muscle).

The club could have Pierre Lees-Melou back from a calf strain, and Marco Bizot was between the sticks last weekend after previously suffering a knock.

Bizot collected a clean sheet in this exact fixture last season, with the only goal of that match coming courtesy of former Stade Brestois forward Steve Mounie.

On the Lyon side, Maxence Caqueret is doubtful because of an injury, while Nicolas Tagliafico is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension.

As you may expect, given their financial problems, the club have been busy selling players, with Anthony Lopes going to Nantes, while Jeffinho signed for Botafogo, Gift Orban joined Hoffenheim and Thiago Almada reportedly has undergone a medical exam to come to OL despite the transfer ban imposed on them.

An own-goal from Khalil Fayad in second-half stoppage time gave them a narrow victory in their previous league encounter, as Lucas Perri made six stops to pick up the clean sheet.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Haidara; Doumbia, Fernandes, Faivre; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Balde

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Caleta-Car, Abner; Veretout, Matic, Benrahma; Cherki, Lacazette, Fofana

We say: Brest 1-3 Lyon

Fatigue may set in very soon for a Stade Brestois side, who are not used to playing so many matches in such a short time span.

Lyon, meanwhile, have been well-organised and decisive away from home throughout the campaign, and we expect they will make their opportunities count on Saturday.

Written by

Joel Lefevre

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