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

This is a match of huge significance in the race for Champions League qualification between the hosts, who are in third place as it stands, and the visitors, who are three points above them in second place.

Match preview

Having finished each of the last four seasons in the bottom half of the table, Brest are enjoying an incredible 2023-24 campaign and will have the opportunity to move into second place with a win in this match.

The Pirates are already on 35 points this term, which is their best-ever tally after 19 league games. Their previous best came way back in 1981-82 when they managed 35 points in 23 matches and went on to finish ninth that season.

Eric Roy's side will also be brimming with confidence heading into Sunday's clash after managing to come from two goals down to earn a point on the road against league leaders Paris Saint-Germain last week.

That result marked Roy's side's eighth consecutive league match without defeat, including six wins and two draws, while they also maintained an impressive five clean sheets over that period.

One of the major keys to their success in recent times has been their home form, as they have won 10 of their last 15 Ligue 1 matches at Stade Francis-Le Ble, losing only two in that time, which is a major improvement from having won just two of the preceding 15.

There was nothing to separate these sides in the reverse fixture back in October, which ended 0-0, but Nice will be well aware of their opponents' solid home form and will know they need to be at their best this Sunday.

The Eaglets have also made huge strides forward from their ninth-placed finish last season and currently trail PSG by six points with a record of 11 wins, five draws and just three losses in 19 matches this term.

Of the top seven teams in the top flight, Francesco Farioli's side were the only ones to record a victory last weekend, beating Metz 1-0 at home courtesy of a 77th-minute penalty goal from Evann Guessand.

Nice's success this term has stemmed from their excellent defensive solidity, as they have only let in 11 goals this season, which is the best record in Ligue 1, with Lille in second (14) and PSG in third (16). Notably, in the history of Ligue 1, only four teams have conceded fewer goals after 19 matches in the season.

However, despite all their good work this season, Nice are winless in their last four away league games, including consecutive losses in their last three, which is as many as they had lost in their previous 20 league matches on the road.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

D

W

W

W

W

D

Brest form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

D

Nice Ligue 1 form:

L

W

L

W

L

W

Nice form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

W

W

Team News

Brest will have to make do without the services of midfielder Kamory Doumbia, who is still away on international duty with Mali in the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

Jordan Amavi is also ruled out of this match due to a calf injury, while Pierre Lees-Melou will serve his one-match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season last week against PSG.

Hichem Boudaoui returned to the squad for Nice last week after a disappointing AFCON with Algeria and will be in line for a starting 11 spot after coming off the bench against Metz last weekend.

However, The Eaglets are still without Nigeria's Terem Moffi and Ivory Coast international Jeremie Boga, who are still involved in the AFCON competition, while Alexis Beka Beka is flagged as a doubt for Sunday's encounter.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Camara, Magnetti, Satriano; Le Douaron, Mounie, Del Castillo

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Thuram, Sanson, Ndayishimiye; Laborde, Guessand, Cho

We say: Brest 1-0 Nice

Both these sides come into this match carrying good form, but Brest's home record this season has been excellent, while Nice have been struggling on the road in recent weeks. The Eaglets are on a three-match losing streak in away games and were beaten by this opponent at this venue 1-0 last season.

We feel that the hosts will be able to claim another slender victory in this one.

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