In the return of Ligue 1 following the winter break, Brest welcome Montpellier HSC to the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts ended 2023 in extraordinary form, rising improbably into the top four, and both sides progressed through the round of 64 in the Coupe de France last week.
Match preview
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Brest's Ligue 1 form from late November onwards was not bettered by any other side in the division, as they jumped from mid-table to a place in the Champions League positions.
Six games saw Eric Roy's side win 16 points to round off 2023, as only runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain were able to match that tally.
What made the run even more surprising is that it seemed as though Brest's season was fizzling out, as they had gone five games without a win.
After six matches, Brest topped Ligue 1, and even though that winless run saw them fall to eighth, they are fighting for Europe again.
They signed off for the break with a three-point gap on Lille in fifth, with a better goal difference to boot.
However, their mettle will be tested in the coming weeks, as the Pirates face PSG, Nice and Marseille in their next five, so this upcoming clash with Montpellier, and a trip to Clermont must be targeted as games to win.
Roy saw his side make a fine start to 2024 though, suggesting they can pick up where they left off, as Brest beat Ligue 2 leaders Angers in the Coupe last weekend, and they will now face fourth-tier Trelissac for a spot in the last 16.
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While their fine run in the league started with a 3-1 win at Montpellier back in November, Brest actually have an embarrassing recent record against their upcoming opponents at home.
The visitors have remarkably won 4-0 and 7-0 on their previous two visits to the Stade Francis-Le Ble, but they need another win here after an underwhelming first half of the season.
Michel Der Zakarian has seen his side win just four of their opening 17 Ligue 1 games this season, leaving them down in 12th with 18 points - just four above the drop zone.
With a gap being created between ninth and 10th, the league has almost been split in two, so it is unlikely Montpellier will be looking up this season, rather just focusing on distancing themselves from a relegation fight.
Like Brest, Montpellier also made a fine start to 2024 though, beating second-tier opposition in the form of Amiens in the Coupe de France last weekend.
Team News
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Highly-rated defender Lilian Brassier was not in the Brest squad for their win over Angers last weekend as rumours intensify that the 24-year-old is close to joining AC Milan.
That could leave Brest weaker at the back, and in addition to that, fellow defender Axel Cambian will be unavailable after a late red card in the cup win.
Jordan Amavi is also absent with a calf injury, but Achraf Dari will be available after returning from his own setback, and being snubbed by Morocco ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
While many Ligue 1 clubs will be decimated by AFCON, Brest have just one player departing, but it is Kamory Doumbia who had been in superb form, especially in their 4-0 win over Lorient where he scored all four goals.
Montpellier are not as fortunate, as multiple first-team players are away at AFCON with their national sides.
Enzo Tchato (Cameroon), Issiaga Sylla (Guinea), Falaye Sacko, Kiki Kouyate (both Mali) and Dimitry Bertaud (DR Congo) will all be absent for the next few weeks, while Mousa Al-Tamari is also on Asian Cup duty with Jordan.
On the injury front, Arnaud Nordin and Theo Sainte-Luce will be unavailable to Der Zakarian, but Wahbi Khazri returned in the cup win after missing the end of 2023, and has retired from international duty with Tunisia so will not be at AFCON.
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Locko; Camara, Lees-Melou, Martin; Del Castillo, Satriano, Le Douaron
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Omeragic, Jullien, Esteve; Hefti, Fayad, Chotard, Savanier, Mincarelli; Adams, Yeboah
We say: Brest 2-1 Montpellier HSC
Brest's form to finish 2023 was phenomenal, and they have an excellent opportunity to pick up where they left off with a home clash here against a Montpellier side who have flattered to deceive this season.
With many players away at AFCON and the Asian Cup too, Montpellier may have a tricky few weeks ahead, and despite the two incredible results on their last two visits here, that trend may end this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
