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

Like their hosts, Brest have also made an encouraging start to the new season after collecting seven points from their opening four games.

Match preview

After finishing in 11th place last season, the early signs suggest that Reims could improve on that position this term, with their opening four games yielding seven points.

Will Still's side bounced back from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Marseille to record back-to-back victories against Clermont and Montpellier.

Reims would have been hopeful of claiming a third consecutive victory when they took a 2-1 lead in their away meeting with Metz following strikes from Oumar Diakite and Teddy Teuma.

However, Reims were unable to hold onto to their narrow advantage, ensuring they had to be content with a point, which extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

With Les rouges et blancs sitting in fifth place and three points adrift of the summit, they will be determined to keep pace with the early pacesetters this weekend.

Like their hosts, Brest also have seven points to their name after losing just one of their opening four Ligue 1 matches.

Eric Roy's troops flew out of the blocks to beat Lens 3-2 before edging out newly promoted Le Havre 2-1 in their first away game of the season.

However, they were stopped in their tracks by a 2-0 defeat to Marseille, ending their impressive run of scoring in eight consecutive league games.

They drew another blank in their most recent outing, as they played out a goalless draw with Rennes to record their first clean sheet of the new campaign.

With their last four meetings with Reims finishing all square, Brest will be confident of adding to their points tally on Sunday.

Reims Ligue 1 form:

L

W

W

D

Brest Ligue 1 form:

W

W

L

D

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Team News

Manchester City loanee Josh Wilson-Esbrand is expected to come into the Reims starting lineup after dropping down to the bench against Metz.

Fresh from scoring a brace in Japan's 4-2 friendly win over Turkey, summer signing Keito Nakamura is in contention to start on Sunday.

After opening his goalscoring account for the club before the international break, Diakite will continue to lead the line for the hosts.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon midfielder Mathias Pereira Lage, who is set to miss a second straight game due to a hamstring injury.

After being signed late in the summer transfer window Julien Le Cardinal and Jordan Amavi could feature in the matchday squad.

Steve Mounie could be recalled to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench for the goalless draw with Rennes.

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Wilson-Esbrand; Munetsi, Matusiwa, Teuma; Ito, Nakamura; Diakite

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Le Douaron, Mounie

We say: Reims 1-1 Brest

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