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

The Pirates have already scored five goals across two wins this term, while Les Olympiens also remain unbeaten having taken four points from a possible six.

Match preview

Marseille kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Reims on the opening weekend, with goals from Azzedine Ounahi and Vitinha cancelling out Junya Ito's 10th-minute opener.

However, Les Olympiens were held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Metz last time out, despite racking up 22 shots while enjoying the lion's share of possession thanks to Ababacar Lo's red card on the hour mark.

Emran Soglo put OM ahead after 14 minutes at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, only for Cheikh Sabaly and Georges Mikautadze to fire Metz into the lead midway through the second half, but there was still time for Vitinha to level the scoreline late on.

Following an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Panathinaikos in the third round of Champions League qualifying, Marseille will be determined to enjoy another successful domestic campaign after finishing third in Ligue 1 last season.

Former Sevilla, Villarreal, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelino replaced Igor Tudor as manager during the off-season, meaning that it may take the team some time to adjust to the new regime.

It is fair to say that Brest could not have wished for a better start to the new campaign, as they find themselves on six points after two matches thanks to a couple of memorable victories.

Trailing Lens 2-0 inside 22 minutes on the opening weekend, the Pirates looked destined to begin the season with a defeat, but Eric Roy's men turned things around in spectacular fashion and eventually won 3-2, with Romain Del Castillo bagging a brace.

Del Castillo scored again as Brest defeated newly-promoted Le Havre 2-1 last weekend, while 23-year-old centre-back Lilian Brassier popped up with the winning goal to preserve his side's 100% record in 2023-24.

It is worth remembering that Brest enjoyed a strong end to the previous campaign, losing just two of their final 11 matches after suffering four defeats in five outings across February and March.

Thanks to that late-season rally - and the strong start to the new season - the Brittany outfit have now won six of their last eight Ligue 1 matches, with eight victories coming in their previous 12 outings in the French top flight.

Marseille Ligue 1 form:

Marseille form (all competitions):

Brest Ligue 1 form:

Brest form (all competitions):

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Team News

Marseille are still without Pape Gueye as the 24-year-old midfielder continues to serve a fourth-month ban from all football for breaching his contract with Watford in 2020.

On a brighter note, the hosts have reported no injury problems ahead of Saturday's clash, meaning that new manager Marcelino has plenty of options at his disposal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to partner Iliman Ndiaye in attack, with ex-Watford winger Ismaila Sarr supporting the forwards, while Renan Lodi will continue at left-back following his move from Atletico Madrid.

Brest, on the other hand, are still without long-term injury absentee Josue Escartin, with the 20-year-old defender last making a competitive appearance back in December 2022.

Eric Roy will be reluctant to change his winning side, meaning that Brest will continue to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Martin Satriano leading the line ahead of Romain Del Castillo, Pierre Lees-Melou and Jeremy Le Douaron.

Marseille possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Lodi; Sarr, Rongier, Kondogbia, Soglo; Ndiaye, Aubameyang

Brest possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Marseille 2-2 Brest

Marseille and Brest have played four Ligue 1 matches between them this season, and those clashes have produced a combined total of 15 goals.

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