Clermont can claim their first-ever Ligue 1 victory against Brest when they travel to Stade Francis-Le Ble to face them on Sunday.
After 13 league fixtures, Les Lanciers are second from the bottom, conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw versus Montpellier HSC this week, while Stade Brestois are seventh, a mere two points off a European place following a 3-1 triumph over that same Montpellier side last Sunday.
Match preview
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Second chances in football do not come around often, but Eric Roy has made the most of his thus far, guiding Brest to 18 points after a dozen matchdays, twice as many as they had at this same stage of their previous two Ligue 1 campaigns.
Last Sunday, his side showed a lot of resilience after conceding an equaliser early in the second half, reclaiming the lead 13 minutes later and ending a three-match losing run in this competition.
Resilience is one thing that this team have shown a lot of in 2023-24, claiming seven points when behind in the second half.
Not only have they found a way back into numerous matches this season, but three of their five domestic triumphs have come when drawing first blood, with Brest boasting a 100% record when doing so.
Brest have played one fewer match domestically than all the sides they are chasing in the table, and with their next six games being against teams currently below them, there is ample opportunity for Les Pirates to solidify a place in Europe.
Among their biggest strengths this season is their ability to win balls in the air, while they have made the most of their attacking set-piece opportunities.
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It looked for a while as though something good would finally be coming to Clermont, but ultimately, they could not hold off Montpellier this week, conceding an equaliser in the 87th minute.
While a victory would have done them a world of good in their battle to survive relegation, it is not all doom and gloom, as CF63 have claimed at least a point in three of their previous four domestic affairs and are just two points behind Toulouse and Ligue 1 salvation.
Their two domestic victories so far are three fewer than Pascal Gastien's side managed at this same stage of the previous campaign, while they have accumulated fewer points after 12 matches this season than any prior one in Ligue 1.
Both of their victories this season occurred when this team scored the opening goal, as they have not lost a top-flight fixture in 2023-24 in that scenario.
Heading into this weekend, Clermont are tied with Lyon for the fewest goals scored in Ligue 1 thus far, though six of their nine strikes have come away from home.
Les Lanciers have not won a competitive fixture against Brest since 2016-17, when both sides were in Ligue 2, and Clermont came away with a 2-0 triumph at Stade Francis-Le Ble.
Team News
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On Saturday, Brest are likely to be without Jordan Amavi once again, as the defender on loan from Marseille is still dealing with a calf injury.
Last Sunday, they were aided by an own goal by Maxime Esteve, which gave them an early advantage, while Mathias Pereira Lage and Kamory Doumbia netted in the second half, enabling them to claim all three points.
Vice-captain Pierre Lees-Melou assisted on both goals in this exact fixture last season, including the winner which came courtesy of Steve Mounie.
Neither Maximiliano Caufriez nor Neto Borges will be available for Clermont this weekend, with the former receiving another caution while the latter was given a straight red card deep into stoppage this week.
Johan Gastien is a few weeks away from fully healing from his muscle strain, while Jeremie Bela may be available despite previously missing time with a groin injury.
Maxime Gonalons put home the opening goal for them seven minutes into their midweek encounter, his first of the 2023-24 domestic campaign.
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Locko; Doumbia, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Satriano, Mounie
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Pelmard, Ogier, Armougon; Konate, Magnin, Gonalons, Zeffane; Cham, Allevinah; Nicholson
We say: Brest 2-0 Clermont
Fatigue could be a factor for the visitors, who will only have a few days to rest before this encounter, while missing two key players through suspension will not help.
Brest have been a little more consistent and sharper in the attacking third than their weekend opponents, and we expect them to find a breakthrough and cruise from there.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
