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

Over the weekend, Stade Brestois defeated Clermont 3-0, moving up to seventh in the table with their second successive domestic triumph, while Le Racing are just a point above the relegation playoff line, losing 2-0 to Reims on Friday.

Match preview

Playing a pair of struggling defensive units has reinvigorated the Brest attack, scoring three goals in consecutive league games versus Montpellier (3-1) and Clermont.

With a combined six goals in their previous two domestic affairs, Les Pirates have netted as many times as they had in their nine matches combined before that.

Their 3-0 victory on Sunday was the first three-goal triumph for this side since January 2023 when they defeated Angers 4-0, while they also recorded their third clean sheet of the new season the last time out, and their third at home.

In his first full season as manager, Eric Roy has guided this team to 21 points after 13 matchdays, their second-best start to a top-flight campaign (22 points in 2010-11).

Since returning to the French top-flight in 2019-20, Brest have often found themselves near the bottom of the standings, having to stave off relegation, but with a victory on Thursday, they will move a point above Reims for a place in the Europa League group stage next season.

More than half of their points domestically in 2023-24 have come at home (11 of 21), with Les Pirates failing to score just once at Stade Francis-Le Ble in the top-flight this season (0-0 draw versus Rennes).

Another slow start for Strasbourg in their previous encounter has them flirting with relegation, just three points above Clermont and descent into Ligue 2.

Throughout the campaign, Patrick Vieira's men have been slow out of the gate, conceding first in eight domestic encounters while being outscored 10-1 in the opening 45 minutes.

Le RCS are winless in seven successive matches in this competition, the longest current run without a victory in Ligue 1 and the longest for this club since October 2022-January 2023 (eight).

They have scored a goal or fewer in each of their Ligue 1 away fixtures this season, claiming just four out of a possible 18 points as the visiting team.

Strasbourg are undefeated in five league fixtures when scoring first, winning four encounters in 2023-24 after drawing first blood.

As bad as it looks for them right now, Le Racing have fared well versus Brest in the top-flight, losing only one of their last six matches against them, winning three of the previous four meetings, and they have not lost in their last three visits to Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

L

L

D

D

D

L

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Team News

Brest vice-captain Pierre Lees-Melou was on the field for a second successive encounter last weekend after previously missing time through suspension, while Jordan Amavi sat out of their Sunday affair with a calf injury.

A brace from Romain Del Castillo helped Stade Brestois claim a comfortable victory over Clermont, with Mathias Pereira Lage scoring for the second match running and Marco Bizot making just a single stop for his first clean sheet since October 1 (0-0 draw versus Nice).

Maxime Bastian missed the previous match for Strasbourg with the defender currently dealing with a muscle injury, while Karol Fila continues to recover from a cruciate ligament tear.

Kevin Gameiro notched his first of the new campaign on Friday, putting him in a tie for third on the team alongside Habib Diarra and Moise Sahi.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Doumbia, Lees-Melou, Martin; Del Castillo, Satriano, Pereira Lage

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Senaya, Sylla, Perrin, Guilbert; Sissoko, Doukoure; Gabriel, Gameiro, Diarra; Mothiba

We say: Brest 1-1 Strasbourg

Brest have taken care of business against weaker opponents, but we believe Strasbourg are stronger than their current form might indicate.

Vieira is a resourceful manager who is capable of turning around a bad situation, and we believe his players will adapt to his style soon, while continuing their strong play in Brittany.

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