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

Both teams will have a caretaker manager in the dugout as they will hope to use the World Cup break to scout out the perfect possible replacement for their recently sacked managers.

Match preview

This has often been a close-fought affair, as before their most recent meeting in February, 10 of the previous 11 clashes had been decided by one goal, or been drawn.

However, in February, Troyes came here and were battered 5-1 by Brest in what was an important game at the time regarding Ligue 1 safety.

Things seem much different for Brest now though, as they are certainly the side in bigger danger.

They sit 19th with just one win in their last 11, including a 7-0 defeat at home to Montpellier and a 4-1 loss at Nantes.

Form here at the Stade Francis-Le Ble has been shocking too, with zero home wins, the lowest home points tally (three) and the fewest home goals in the league (three).

Replacing Michel Der Zakarian with Bruno Grougi as caretaker boss has not had any sort of desired effect either, as the former Martinique international has picked up just four points in his four games in charge.

It is likely that Brest will hire a permanent replacement for Der Zakarian during the World Cup break.

Troyes have been Ligue 1's great entertainers so far this season, but that tag will not give their fans any comfort, nor former manager Bruno Irles, who lost his job last week.

Sitting down in 14th, while winless in six was enough for the Troyes hierarchy to decide it was time for a change, so Claude Robin will take temporary charge while they search for a new manager during the World Cup.

In that six-game winless run, they still scored 11 goals, including three at the Parc des Princes, but a 4-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will have been tough to take considering they led twice.

Following that, only PSG have scored more goals on the road than Troyes this season, but ESTAC have just six points from their seven away fixtures, so it is very clear they must tighten up defensively.

Defensive deficiency cost them last weekend too, as they threw two points away late on against Auxerre in a 1-1 draw.

Brest Ligue 1 form:

D

L

L

W

D

L

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

D

L

D

D

L

D

Team News

Finnish international Jere Uronen is out injured at left-back, so Jean-Kevin Duverne will continue to deputise for Brest.

Islam Slimani is back from suspension in attack so could be in line to replace Jeremy Le Douaron in the central striking role.

Wingers Romain Del Castillo and Franck Honorat have been the bright sparks for a struggling Brest side so far, contributing to eight goals between them - over half of Brest's tally.

Former Celtic youth prodigy Karamoko Dembele is still unable to break into the team, as all eight of his appearances have been from the bench.

There is a potential battle brewing for the number one jersey at Troyes.

With Gauthier Gallon now suspended, Mateusz Lis will come in to deputise for this one.

They will be without two midfielders here though, as Lucien Agoume (muscle) and Florian Tardieu (heel) have both been ruled out.

Veteran centre-back Adil Rami also will not feature after picking up an injury in the last week.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Fadiga, Chardonnet, Brassier, Duverne; Camara, Lees-Melou, Belkebla; Del Castillo, Slimani, Honorat

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Lis; Porozo, Palmer-Brown, Salmier; T Balde, Kouame, Chavalerin, Conte; Odobert, Rony Lopes, Mama Balde

We say: Brest 2-2 Troyes

Neither side are particularly enjoying their football at the moment, and may just hope to avoid defeat before the lengthy World Cup break in a fixture which historically has been very tight.

Previews by email