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

The hosts will have faint hopes of Europe, while the away side are still in trouble of relegation.

Match preview

Reims returned to winning ways last weekend after losing their sensational 19-game unbeaten streak against Marseille before the international break.

Seeing off Nantes in an impressive 3-0 away success has moved them back into the top seven ahead of Nice, six points off the European places.

For a side not renowned for its goal scoring prowess, so heavily reliant on Folarin Balogun for goals, it will have been pleasing for Still to see Alexis Flips and Marshall Munetsi continue their fine recent form in front of goal.

No side in Ligue 1 has picked up as many points as Reims in the last 10 gameweeks, and their defensive stability has often been the decisive factor.

Goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf has kept the most clean sheets in the league this season with 13, conceding just twice in his last eight games, the ultimately deciding the goals in their defeat to Marseille.

Despite finding themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, Brest have shown great fight in recent weeks to take seven points from a possible 12 in their last four games.

Paris Saint-Germain are the only team to have beaten them in this time, but their away form is a cause for concern, with just one win in their last eight on the road.

An inability to follow up on positive results has been a killer too, as they have failed to win back-to-back games yet this season.

After a win over Toulouse last week though, Brest have the opportunity to do so here, but they will come into the game as the underdogs.

Reims Ligue 1 form:

D

W

W

W

L

W

Brest Ligue 1 form:

L

L

W

L

D

W

Team News

Reims' side has been extremely settled under Still, so there are unlikely to be many changes, as nine players have started their last five games.

Young forward Noah Holm and Dion Lopy are their only two injury concerns ahead of this clash.

For Brest, Loic Remy remains sidelined having still not featured since joining the club in the winter transfer window.

Christophe Herelle is also out, but his defensive partner Brendan Chardonnet could make his 100th Ligue 1 appearance for Brest here.

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, De Smet; Matusiwa, Cajuste, Munetsi; Ito, Balogun, Flips

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Duverne; Lees-Melou, Belkebla, Le Douaron; Honorat, Mounie, Del Castillo

We say: Reims 1-0 Brest

In the last 18 meetings between the sides, there have been just two occasions where there has been more than two goals scored, with both occasions ending in 2-1 Brest wins.

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