Separated by just one point and three places in the Champions League league phase table, Brest and Real Madrid square up to one another on the final matchday at the Stade Francis Le-Ble.
Both sides could still crack the top-eight positions with a victory on Wednesday, but they would also require an astonishing set of results to go their way for that scenario to come to fruition.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite not being able to assert their customary dominance on the European scene this season, reigning champions Real Madrid are at least assured of a playoff place at the very worst, meaning that a record-extending 16th continental crown is still a possibility for Los Blancos.
Carlo Ancelotti's men were at their brutal best on the penultimate matchday, putting five past already-eliminated Red Bull Salzburg on an evening where Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior both struck braces either side of Kylian Mbappe's third European goal of the season.
Speaking of things coming in threes for the Frenchman, it was his hat-trick that propelled Real Madrid to a straightforward 3-0 triumph over Real Valladolid in Saturday's La Liga affair, one that kept Los Blancos four points clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid at the summit.
However, the 15-time European Cup winners are only just inside the seeded playoff spots in the UCL standings, but as Ancelotti prepares to face his 58th different opponent in the Champions League, his attack have well and truly clicked into gear.
Indeed, the crushing of Valladolid saw Real Madrid score at least two goals for the 13th consecutive game, and Los Blancos have won five of their last six matches as the away team across all competitions, including each of their last three.
© Imago
Regardless of what transpires on Wednesday evening, where the visit of Real Madrid to the Stade Francis Le-Ble is already momentous enough for Brest, Les Pirates' first foray into any European competition has been an overriding success.
Where esteemed Champions League competitors such as RB Leipzig have faltered, Eric Roy's men - who are only trailing eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference - have more or less risen to the challenge and will at least be present in the playoffs later this year.
The Ligue 1 upstarts have gone unbeaten in all three of their UCL home games so far in 2024-25, and even though they were slain 2-0 by Shakhtar Donetsk on the penultimate matchday, they quickly responded with a 1-0 success away to Le Havre in Sunday's Ligue 1 contest.
Victorious in eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions, Brest also welcome Real Madrid to their humble home having won each of their last five matches in front of their own supporters, offering genuine hope of a colossal giant killing.
Real Madrid have already been upset by one Ligue 1 club this Champions League season - suffering a shock loss to Lille on matchday two - and the fact that Los Blancos have been beaten in 50% of their UCL games away to French sides should not be lost on Wednesday's hosts.
Team News
© Imago
After having to manage without the suspended Vinicius Junior against Real Valladolid, Real Madrid must work around another ban for the Brazilian in midweek, as he picked up his third Champions League yellow card in the thrashing of Salzburg.
Vinicius is expected to be one of five absentees for the visitors on Wednesday alongside Jesus Vallejo (unspecified), Dani Carvajal (knee), Eder Militao (ACL) and Eduardo Camavinga (hamstring), although the latter is expected back within the next week or so.
Brahim Diaz benefitted from Vinicius's absence at the weekend, but Luka Modric, Arda Guler and Endrick - who could reportedly be loaned out before the January window shuts - are all candidates to deputise for the Brazilian in France.
Similarly, Brest only have a handful of concerns heading into Wednesday's tantalising tie, which Bradley Locko will definitely miss with a leg injury, while Jordan Amavi (thigh) and Karamoko Dembele (muscle) should not make the cut either.
Les Pirates were dealt a new concern at the weekend, though, as Mama Balde was forced off against Le Havre just 20 minutes after coming off the bench, although it is not clear how severe his unspecified problem is.
Nevertheless, either Abdallah Sima, Romain Del Castillo or Romain Faivre - on loan from Premier League outfit Bournemouth - should operate on the right flank for the hosts this week.
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Pereira Lage; Fernandes, Magnetti; Sima, Camara, Del Castillo; Ajorque
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Rodrygo
We say: Brest 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have discovered their taste for goals again, and even though they might be lamenting the absence of Vinicius yet again, Ancelotti's men should run into few obstacles in France.
Brest's stellar home record is unlikely to count for much against the holders, although both sides should enter the playoff pot regardless of Wednesday's result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
