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

New Brest boss Eric Roy is searching for a positive result in his first league game in charge.

Match preview

Brest were one of the sides who avoided a cup shock at the weekend as they saw off third-tier Avranches 2-0 in Normandy.

That cup win was Roy's first game as manager, after he replaced Bruno Grougi shortly after the new year.

It was a routine and welcome fixture for a side who had endured a tough return to competitive action.

They have lost both of their matches since Ligue 1 resumed after the World Cup, but the fact they were against strong Monaco and Lyon sides should be accounted for.

However, the performance against Lyon was particularly disappointing as they were 4-1 down after just 49 minutes.

Those two defeats mean they have slipped into the relegation zone, two points adrift of Ajaccio.

Lille did not have an ideal start to the season, but four points from their two games since coming back from the break has aided their push for Europe.

Paulo Fonseca's side beat Clermont before drawing with Reims just after the new year.

In the aftermath of the Reims game though, Fonseca was surprisingly critical of the supporters, saying he was very disappointed in them for booing the players off following their failure to win at home.

Les Dogues are just six points off the Champions League places with every side in the top seven well within the hunt.

Top scorer Jonathan David was back among the goals in their draw with Reims, a welcome relief following a difficult World Cup for him.

That strike was his 10th of the season in Ligue 1 - only Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have more.

A near full-strength Lille side beat Troyes 2-0 in the cup on Sunday night, joining their upcoming opponents in the next round.

This has not been an enjoyable place for Lille to visit in recent years though, as they have won only twice in their last 13 visits.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

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L

Lille Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

Roy made eight changes to the Brest side for his first game in charge against Avranches at the weekend, so he may opt to stick with some of the players who came in for that game.

Kenny Lala made his debut for the club on his return to French football after spending two years in Greece with Olympiacos.

Top scorer Romain Del Castillo was given a rest away from league matters on Saturday so he should be one of those to come in who did not feature.

Achraf Dari made a welcome return too as he featured for the first time since scoring in the World Cup third-place playoff for Morocco.

Jere Uronen has left the club early in the transfer window to join Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Jose Fonte is a doubt for Lille after going off at half-time against Reims in their last league outing.

His natural replacement, teenage starlet Leny Yoro, returned after missing the last few weeks with a foot injury.

Gabriel Gudmundsson will not feature as he nurses a groin injury while Jonathan Bamba may miss out with a calf problem.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Herelle, Duverne; Camara, Lees-Melou, Belkebla; Del Castillo, Slimani, Mounie

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Zhegrova, Diakite, Yoro, Djalo, Ismaily; Andre, Andre Gomes; Angel Gomes, Cabella, David

We say: Brest 1-2 Lille

Under new management, Brest will hope they can turn a corner following a tough start, but a third consecutive European-chasing opponent will present a huge challenge.

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