Preview: Brest vs. Angers - prediction, team news, lineups

While goal difference separates Brest from safety, the visitors are propping up the league table after picking up only eight points from their 19 games.

Match preview

Brest have failed to record a league victory since the winter break, following two straight defeats in Ligue 1 with consecutive draws.

Their only win since the resumption of club football took place in the Coupe de France against third-tier Avranches, but they were unable to progress any further in the cup competition, losing 3-1 at home to Lens last weekend.

Following their cup exit, Brest will focus on their quest to remain in the topflight, and if they are to avoid relegation, then they will need to improve on home soil after winning only one of their nine league games at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

No Ligue 1 side has scored fewer home goals than Brest, who have only managed to register seven league goals at home this season.

Despite being in poor form, Brest have the chance to record a league double over Angers after claiming a 3-1 away win when the two sides met in August.

Although Angers managed to progress to the last-16 of the Coupe de France, they were only able to beat sixth-tier Strasbourg Koenigshoffen by a narrow 1-0 scoreline thanks to Miha Blazic's first half strike.

Angers will go on to face Nantes in the next round, but they will now turn their attention to Sunday's league encounter, where they will be aiming to end a run of 11 consecutive defeats in Ligue 1.

Without a win in the league since September, Angers are left with a mountain to climb if they are to avoid relegation, with seven points separating them from safety.

Having shipped 41 goals from 19 league games, they currently have the joint-worst defensive record - alongside Auxerre - and while they need to improve at the back, they are also experiencing issues in the final third.

No side have scored fewer away goals than the six Angers have registered this season, and they will be aiming to end a run of four away league games without a goal when they face Brest on Sunday.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

L

W

L

L

D

D

Brest form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

D

L

Angers Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Angers form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Brest are likely to be without the services of Mathias Pereira Lage, Romain Del Castillo and Brendan Chardonnet due to injury issues.

After dropping to the bench last weekend, Mahdi Camara is set to return to the side to feature in a midfield three alongside Hugo Magnetti and Pierre Lees-Melou.

Steve Mounie was also left out of the lineup for the cup defeat, but after scoring three goals in Brest's last five league games, he is expected to lead the line on Sunday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without a number of players because of injury, including Yahia Fofana, Ali Kalla and Ulrick Eneme-Ella.

Ilyes Chetti, Halid Sabanovic and Ibrahim Amadou could also miss out, while Pierrick Capelle is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Angers are also unable to call upon Azzedine Ounahi, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Marseille after impressing during the 2022 World Cup, where he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Blazquez; Lala, Herelle, Brassier, Duverne; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Honorat, Le Douaron, Mounie

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Bamba, Hountondji, Blazic, Doumbia; Mendy, Bentaleb; Sima, Hunou, Boufal; Salama

We say: Brest 2-1 Angers

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