Two sides hunting automatic qualification to next season's Champions League league stage come together this weekend as Lille travel to face Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.
The hosts sit second in the Ligue 1 table coming into this game, while the visitors are fourth and just three points outside of the top three.
Match preview
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Eric Roy's side have been the surprise package in Ligue 1 this campaign as they find themselves second in the league with just nine games left to play.
Brest's performance last season saw them finish in 14th place with 44 points from 38 games, leaving them just nine points above the relegation zone.
This season tells a different story though, as they have experienced a remarkable rise up the league table. The Pirates have accumulated 46 points already, more than their points tally from the entirety of last season, and now sit second in the table with only Paris Saint-Germain their superior.
A large part of the hosts' success this season is due to their defensive solidity, conceding only 19 goals in their 25 matches, leaving them with the joint-best defence in the league alongside Nice.
Brest fell to their first Ligue 1 defeat of 2024 in their previous outing as top-three rivals Lens beat them 1-0, ending a 13-game unbeaten run in the league.
That loss allowed Monaco, Lille and Lens to all move closer to Brest, who will now be looking to get back to winning ways as they attempt to retain their position in the top three until the end of the season.
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Lille failed to fully capitalise on the Pirates' loss last weekend, taking just a point in their encounter with eighth-placed Rennes. The Lillois were trailing 2-0 entering the last 10 minutes, but two goals from Jonathan David salvaged them a potentially important draw.
The Canadian striker is likely to be the source of any potential joy that Lille have in this encounter; despite having a slow start to the campaign, David has now scored eight times in his last six appearances across all competitions.
A win in this game could be crucial for Paulo Fonseca's side as three points would see them move to within a single point of their opposition heading into the final eight matches, while a loss could leave them six points adrift of the top three depending on Monaco's result against lowly Lorient.
Fonseca's side will have to improve on their away form if they are to take anything away from this game though, claiming just three victories from their 13 games on the road this season.
Team News
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Brest have just the one injury concern heading into this game, with Jordan Amavi still yet to make an appearance for his side this season.
Top scorer Steve Mounie returned to the starting XI last weekend after serving a suspension following a dismissal against Marseille in February, and the striker is expected to continue up front this time out.
Lille have suffered multiple injuries recently, and they will remain without five of their players heading into this one.
Tiago Morais joined the club during the January window and is yet to start for his side after suffering a muscle injury against Le Havre in February.
Adam Ounas, Samuel Umtiti, Andrej Ilic and Rafael Fernandes all also remain on the sidelines but are expected to return in the coming weeks.
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Lees Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Camara, Le Douaron; Mounie
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Diakite, Ismaily; Gomes, Andre, Bentaleb; Zhegrova, David, Haraldsson
We say: Brest 1-1 Lille
While Brest's defensive record has been excellent this season, it will be hard to stop the in-form David from getting on the scoresheet.
Lille have struggled for wins away from home this season with most games ending in draws, so we expect this one to follow this trend and end in a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
