Brest vs Lyon – News and Probable Lineups

Brest are on a quest for consecutive victories, as they welcome title-contending Lyon to Stade Francis-Le Ble this upcoming Sunday for a Ligue 1 fixture.

Les Pirates recently secured a straightforward victory against Lorient, while Les Gones were occupied with European commitments, drawing against Real Sociedad.

Match overview

After finishing in a lackluster 12th place in Ligue 1 last season, Brest’s aim this term is to secure qualification for European competitions, and their recent performances indicate that such an ambition is within reach.

Recently, Les Pirates have managed to lose only once in their last four top-flight games, claiming a 2-0 win away at Lorient on Monday night, with goals from Ludovic Ajorque and Noah Edjouma in the second half.

Hoping to achieve back-to-back top-flight wins for the first time since early March, Brest currently sits in 10th place in the Ligue 1 table, eight points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Surprisingly, only four of Les Pirates’ 12 points in the league this season have come from matches played at Stade Francis-Le Ble, with Julien Lachuer’s side managing just one victory in their first four home fixtures.

Nevertheless, that lone win was quite remarkable as Ajorque bagged a goal and provided an assist in a resounding 5-1 triumph over relegation-threatened Angers on October 10.

After achieving consecutive victories over Anderlecht and Conference League champions Crystal Palace to kick off their Europa League campaign, Lyon have only managed a single point from their encounters against Hoffenheim (0-3) and Real Sociedad (1-1).

Indeed, Les Gones have won just once in their last four matches across all competitions (D1 L2), with their latest away league encounter resulting in a 2-0 loss to PSG at Parc des Princes.

Nonetheless, Jorge Maciel’s squad managed to keep their slim title aspirations alive last Sunday afternoon, as goals from Ernest Nuamah and Corentin Tolisso around the half-time interval secured a win against Angers.

This victory extended their unbeaten run at home in the league to five matches (W4 D1) and propelled Lyon to third place in the Ligue 1 standings, just three points behind Luis Enrique’s European champions.

Les Gones remain unbeaten in their last three meetings (W2 D1) with Brest, however, Les Pirates have avoided defeat in the last three encounters (W2 D1) held at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Team News

Brest is likely to be without Brendan Chardonnet, as he is expected to miss up to two weeks due to a calf issue.

The Pirates are facing a further decrease in their center-back options with the absence of 20-year-old Raphael Le Guen.

Lois Openda, a high-profile loanee from Juventus, is currently undergoing treatment at Lyon due to a leg injury.

With the Belgian forward anticipated to return after the international break, Nuamah will be a key player for Les Gones this weekend in terms of scoring.

Pavel Sulc, sought after by Championship side Wrexham during the summer, will be sidelined until January with a knee injury.

Brest probable starting XI:

Selvik; Lala, Tousart, Lloris, Locko; Chotard, Magnetti; Balde, Doumbia, Mboup; Ajorque

Lyon probable starting XI:

Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Niakhate, Abner; Bidstrup, Tessmann, Tolisso; Duranville, Nakamura, Nuamah

Following their positive result against Lorient last weekend, Brest will face a more challenging assignment against Lyon this time.

Despite their exertions in Spain on Thursday night, Les Gones should be fit enough to secure at least a point at Stade Francis-Le Ble.