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

Having taken two points from a possible 15, Les Gones travel to the Stade Francis-Le Ble to take on high-flying Brest, who find themselves second in the table after five matches.

Match preview

While Lyon's struggles have been clear for all to see throughout the opening weeks of the season, Brest's start to the 2023-24 campaign has gained plenty of attention for all the right reasons, as only table-topping Monaco have picked up more points than Eric Roy's men.

Boasting a record of three wins, one draw and one loss, the Pirates occupy second place in the Ligue 1 standings after five games, and they also possess one of the best defensive records in the division, with only Marseille and Nice conceding fewer goals this term.

After coming from two goals down to beat Lens 3-2 on the opening weekend, Brest claimed a 2-1 victory over Le Havre before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Marseille, but the Brittany outfit wasted no time in bouncing back from their first loss of the season.

Following a goalless draw with Rennes prior to the international break, the Pirates came from behind to defeat Reims 2-1 at the Stade Auguste-Delaune last weekend, with goals from Mahdi Camara and Pierre Lees-Melous keeping the Pirates' ship sailing.

By contrast, Lyon could not have dreamed of a worse start to the 2023-24 campaign as they find themselves third from bottom in the table with five matches in the books, having recorded two draws and three losses to remain winless this season.

In fact, Les Gones made their worst start to a Ligue 1 season in 57 years, taking a solitary point from their opening four games, with 4-1 home defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier leading to the sacking of manager Laurent Blanc.

Following a goalless draw with Le Havre last weekend - in which Lyon racked up 23 shots while preventing their visitors from registering a solitary attempt on target - Fabio Grosso was announced as the club's new head coach on an initial one-year deal.

After winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy, Grosso made 78 appearances for Les Gones before guiding Frosinone to the Serie B title last season, so the former Lyon player will be determined to build on his managerial achievements and take OL back to where they belong.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

Brest midfielder Mathias Pereira Lage featured in the opening three games before missing the previous two with a muscle injury, meaning that Eric Roy will likely continue with Mahdi Camara, Pierre Lees-Melou and Hugo Magnetti in the middle of the park.

Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, Jeremy Le Douaron and Martin Satriano should continue in attack alongside in-form winger Romain Del Castillo, who has chalked up three goals and two assists in five outings this term.

It is difficult to predict exactly how Lyon will line up following the arrival of Grosso, but the new manager is expected to rely on key performers like Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso and Rayan Cherki as he aims to make an immediate impact.

Veteran defender Dejan Lovren remains sidelined due to a muscle injury, so Clinton Mata and Sinaly Diomande should continue at centre-back, with Sael Kumbedi and Nicolas Tagliafico occupying the full-back spots.

Brest possible starting lineup:

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

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Kumbedi, Mata, Diomande, Tagliafico; Akouokou; Cherki, Caqueret, Tolisso, Nuamah; Lacazette

We say: Brest 2-1 Lyon

Following a dismal start to the season, Lyon will be desperate to benefit from a new manager bounce under Grosso, but Brest will have other ideas as they bid to continue their ascent of the Ligue 1 table.

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