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Brestvs.Nantes

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 May 2024, 21:39
Brest will continue their bid to secure a top-three finish when they welcome Nantes to the Stade Francis-Le Ble for Saturday's Ligue 1 contest.

As for the visitors, they are fighting for their Ligue 1 survival with three points separating them from the bottom three.

Match preview

Brest have already secured European football for the first time in their history after they showed great character to beat Rennes 5-4 last weekend despite spurning a two-goal lead in the contest.

After conceding two early goals, Brest fought back to establish a 4-2 lead thanks to efforts from Steve Mounie, Martin Satriano and Mahdi Camara as well as a Warmed Omari own goal.

However, Eric Roy's side conceded two goals in 11 minutes to leave the game heading towards a draw, before Lilian Brassier netted a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to snatch maximum points and help his side return to winning ways following consecutive defeats.

Brest are guaranteed to surpass their previous best top-flight finish of eighth place in 1987-88, but they still have the chance to create more history in their final three matches against Nantes, Reims and Toulouse.

Having collected 56 points from 31 matches, Les Pirates are sitting in third spot and one point clear of Lille in fourth position, leaving them well set to secure a top-three finish and automatic Champions League qualification.

In contrast to their hosts, Nantes are fighting at the opposite end of the table after mustering 32 points from 31 matches.

Nantes may have a sizeable six-point gap to the bottom two, but they are far from safe with just three points separating them from the relegation playoff spot ahead of their final three fixtures against Brest, Reims and Toulouse.

Antoine Kombouare has experienced mixed results since returning to the Nantes dugout in March, with his five matches producing two wins, one draw and two defeats.

Les Canaris have failed to win either of their last two matches, suffering a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Rennes before playing out a 1-1 draw in their recent away outing against Montpellier.

Nantes will fancy their chances of picking up at least a point from Sunday's contest after winning four, drawing two and losing just one of their previous seven away league matches.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

D

W

W

L

L

W

Nantes Ligue 1 form:

L

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Although Roy will have the majority of his Brest squad available for the weekend, he is unable to call upon defender Julien Le Cardinal, who will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Camara is likely to retain his place in the linuep after he found the net on his first start since the end of March.

Mounie will continue to offer one of Brest's main goal threats, having scored three times in the last four league matches.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Ignatius Ganago, Douglas Augusto, Bastien Meupiyou, Moses Simon and Remy Descamps.

Pedro Chirivella will be ready to take his place in the side despite being forced off last weekend with an injury issue.

Samuel Moutoussamy could be recalled to partner Chirivella in midfield after he dropped down to the bench for the draw with Montpellier.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Lees-Melou, Magnetti, Satriano, Camara, Del Castillo; Mounie

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Amian, Castelletto, Pallois, Cozza; Moutoussamy, Chirivella; Mollet, Sissoko, Abline; Mohamed

We say: Brest 2-1 Nantes

Brest have won the last two head-to-head meetings by a 2-0 scoreline, and after winning three of their last five home matches, we think that the hosts will make full use of home advantage to claim a narrow victory.

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