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

Les Pirates have only won once in 2023 in all competitions, whereas Monaco will be hoping to make it five-straight wins when they play this weekend.

Match preview

Brest are one of the many teams at the bottom end of the Ligue 1 table who will be worrying about losing their first-tier status this campaign, although a crucial win last month eased those fears.

Eric Roy's men netted four against bottom-side Angers on home soil at the end of January, a maximum which is their only victory in any form since the Coupe de France success at Avranches at the start of the year.

Following that victory over Angers, Les Pirates drew successive matches against Lyon and Lens before losing 3-0 to Montpellier at Stade de la Mosson last Sunday.

Although a better result than the 7-0 hammering they suffered versus Michel Der Zakarian's men in the reverse fixture in August, Brest will be bitterly disappointed with their display and should be motivated to get back on track this Sunday.

Monaco have been in sensational form since returning from the World Cup break, with Philippe Clement's side still fighting on domestic and European fronts this campaign.

Les Rouge et Blanc travelled to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night in the Europa League playoff round - a dramatic encounter which saw the visitors run out as 3-2 winners courtesy of a 92nd-minute strike from centre-back Axel Disasi.

Clement's men still have work to do in the second leg next week to ensure qualification into the round of 16, however considering their current form, it is easy to back Monaco to advance into the next round.

Despite all form pointing towards a comfortable victory for Monaco on Sunday, their recent results at Brest suggest otherwise, with Le Rocher losing their last three matches at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

D

D

W

D

D

L

Brest form (all competitions):

D

L

W

D

D

L

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

D

W

D

W

W

W

Monaco form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Brest will be without centre-back Brendan Chardonnet this Sunday as the defender continues to recover from a thigh injury sustained in the draw with Toulouse in January, meaning Christophe Herelle and Achraf Dari are set to be the central-defensive pairing once more.

Midfielder Mathias Pereira Lage is also in the medical room due to an ankle injury, with the 26-year-old expected back at the end of February.

Monaco will travel to Brest this weekend without right-back Vanderson - the Brazilian has not featured since suffering a knee injury in the 3-2 win over strugglers Auxerre at the start of the month.

With the quick turnaround from Thursday's match in Leverkusen - and with an eye on the return leg next week - Clement may decide to rotate this side for this fixture, with youngster Eliesse Ben Seghir pushing for a start.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Dari, Herelle, Brassier; Lees-Melou, Elis, Camara, Magnetti, Le Douaron; Castillo

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Aguilar, Disasi, Maripan, Henrique; Diatta, Fofana, Camara, Golovin, Seghir; Ben Yedder

We say: Brest 1-3 Monaco

Brest were far from impressive in their loss to Montpellier last time out, and Roy will be looking for a big response against Monaco this Sunday.

Previews by email