Lorient vs Brest – News and Probable Lineups

This Saturday, the Breton Derby will take center stage at Stade du Moustoir where Lorient welcomes their regional competitors Brest for the ninth round of the Ligue 1 season.

Despite playing to a 0-0 draw against Angers last week, Lorient still sits in the upper half of the standings at ninth place, while Stade Brestois is four spots lower, having lost 2-1 to Nice.

Match overview

The arrival of autumn has rejuvenated Lorient, a team that had a challenging start to this season under new management.

Alexandre Dujeux witnessed his squad remain without a win in their initial two Ligue 1 matches of August, but they now enter this clash with points gathered in five of their previous six games.

In their last three league matches, they have kept clean sheets, tying with Lille for the fewest goals allowed per match in the league (0.8).

On Saturday, Lorient has the opportunity to extend their unbeaten run at home in Ligue 1 to four matches, having conceded goals in only one of those encounters.

While their defense has been impressive this season, the Brittany club averages the second-lowest number of goals scored per game (0.9) and has also created the joint-fewest significant chances so far (13).

Les Merlus remains unbeaten at home this season when scoring first, achieving a shutout victory in two of those three occasions.

A resounding win over Angers does not appear to have lifted the morale of Stade Brestois much.

After overpowering Alexandre Dujeux’s former team with a 5-1 victory, Julien Lachuer’s squad has dropped points in their last two league matches and might find themselves going three games without a win for the first time this season.

This season, Brest has struggled to secure matches, relinquishing 10 points after going ahead first in games, seven of which were recorded away from home.

Despite ranking second in the league for expected goals (16.9), this team has yet to secure a clean sheet in the current campaign.

Brest has managed to win just one of their last nine Ligue 1 matches on the road dating back to last season, narrowly edging a 2-1 victory over Le Havre in early September.

Les Pirates have had success against Lorient in this competition recently, hoping to extend their unbeaten streak against them to five matches on Saturday while earning points in their last two visits to Stade du Moustoir.

Team News

Due to physical discomfort, Lorient may not have Mohamed Bamba available for matchday nine, while Bandiougou Fadiga and Noah Mbamba are doubtful with hamstring injuries, and Panos Katseris is dealing with muscle tightness.

Yvon Mvogo made five saves against Angers last week, achieving his fourth clean sheet of the season, which ties him with Lille’s Berke Ozer for the most in Ligue 1 this term.

For Stade Brestois, Brendan Chardonnet is nursing a sore calf, Romain Cagnon is questionable due to a knock, and Giovani Versini is sidelined with a lower-leg injury; meanwhile, Raphael Le Guen is still recovering from a broken fibula.

Ludovic Ajorque netted their only goal against Nice, marking his third of the season, just one less than Kamory Doumbia for the most on the team.

Lorient probable starting XI:

Mvogo; Adjei, Talbi, Toure; Le Bris, Cadiou, Avom, Kouassi; Makengo, Jensen; I. Balde

Brest probable starting XI:

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

While Brest has ample attacking options, their vulnerability to counter-attacks and inability to finish games convincingly lead us to anticipate a spirited draw between these rivals.