Ligue 1 | Gameweek 15

Dec 15, 2024 at 4pm UK

Stade Francis-Le Ble

Brestvs.Nantes

Match preview

Brest currently have 16 points from their 14 Ligue 1 games and sit 11th, three points above Saint-Etienne, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Last time out, Les Pirates continued their excellent Champions League form by beating PSV Eindhoven 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Julien Le Cardinal.

Roy's side are fifth in the Champions League standings and have lost just one game in UEFA's premier club competition this season, winning four and drawing the other in what has been a remarkable debut campaign in European competition.

It is fair to say, however, that Brest have not enjoyed the same success domestically, both in terms of their league position and the fact that they have won just one of their last five Ligue 1 games, conceding 11 goals in the process.

In their last league game, Brest were beaten 3-1 away to fourth-placed Lille, with Ludovic Ajorque giving the away side hope before Jonathan David's second from the penalty spot gave Les Dogues all three points.

This weekend, Les Pirates face fellow Ligue 1 strugglers rather than a team chasing European qualification, and manager Roy will be hoping his side can channel their Champions League form into a performance that will keep them as far away from the relegation zone as possible.

Meanwhile, Nantes are 13th in Ligue 1 with 14 points from 14 games, just one point ahead of 16th-placed Saint-Etienne.

Kombouare's side are in serious danger of being relegated this season and have won just one of their last 11 league games, a run that stretches back to the end of August and includes six defeats and four draws.

However, Les Canaris won 1-0 at Rennes last time out and drew away to champions Paris Saint-Germain on 30 November.

Those two results marked the first time since September that Nantes had avoided defeat in consecutive matches, although they did benefit from a red card for Rennes and still needed an 89th-minute winner from Moses Simon to take all three points.

On Sunday, Les Canaris will face a side whose domestic and European fortunes have been very different, and Kombouare will be hoping his side can continue to avoid defeat to ease the pressure on his job and prevent them from slipping further down the table.

Recent Performance

Brest Ligue 1 form:WLLLWL

Brest form (all competitions):LLLWLW

Nantes Ligue 1 form:LLLLDW

Team News

Brest are likely to be without midweek goalscorer Julien Le Cardinal until January after he picked up a hamstring injury against PSV, and Roy could line up with Kenny Lala, Brendan Chardonnet, Abdoulaye Ndiaye and Massadio Haidara in defence.

Elsewhere, Pierre Lees-Melou and Bradley Locko are not expected back until 2025, although Jonas Martin should be back in action later this month and Karamoko Dembele is a doubt for Sunday's game but could be declared fit in time to feature.

Nantes will be without striker Tino Kadewere, who has not featured since scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Marseille at the start of November.

In his place, Kombouare is likely to name Matthis Abline and Moses Simon up front, with Pedro Chirivella, Douglas Augusto and Johann Lepenant supporting the midfield trio.

Possible starting lineup

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Haidara; Camara, Magnetti; Balde, Doumbia, Lage; Sima

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Carlgren; Aiman, Castelletto, Pallois, Zeze, Cozza; Chirivella, Augusto, Lepenant; Abline, Simon