Ligue 1 high-flyers Brest travel to fourth-tier Trelissac for a Coupe de France round of 32 tie on Saturday evening in the first meeting between the clubs in 21 years.
Despite the gulf in class between the sides now, these two clubs were in the same division back in 2002-03, and Trelissac took four points off Brest, despite eventually being relegated from the third tier.
Match preview
© Reuters
After an incredible run of form to finish 2023, Brest picked up where they left off on their return to league action, beating Montpellier HSC 2-0 last weekend.
That means they have collected an incredible 19 points from their last seven league games, catapulting them up into the Champions League group stage places in third.
Brest's opening encounter of 2024 saw them book their passage in this round by beating Ligue 2 leaders Angers on home soil, as the winter break evidently did not disrupt their momentum.
The club has never won the Coupe, though, as quarter-final runs in 1982-83 and 2014-15 are still their best-ever performances in the competition.
Brest have suffered some embarrassing defeats in the past few years, losing to lower-tier clubs Stade Briochin, FC Fleury and Concarneau in the last seven seasons.
Manager Eric Roy is clearly keen to avoid any repeats of that, publicly telling his players: "Don't relax by gaining too much confidence in the face of a National 2 side".
Trelissac are not a side who can be written off either, despite them currently being in the relegation zone of Group B in the fourth tier.
Herve Loubat's side are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions - winning five - and three of those victories have come in this excellent cup run.
It has been much needed considering Trelissac won none of their opening seven games, but along with their strong cup form, they have taken eight points in their last four league games.
While the calibre of their opponents has not been notable, three straight wins on the road against Etoile Maritime, Bassin D'Arcachon and Fabregues to get this far has still been impressive.
This will be Trelissac's final season as an independent club, before they merge with fellow round of 32 competitors Bergerac at the end of the season.
The club now has the opportunity to equal their best-ever run in the Coupe in their final season, as they also reached the last 16 in 2015-16 thanks to beating Lille on penalties, before going down to Marseille.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Trelissac are thin on the ground in terms of numbers, as they were only able to name five substitutes for the win over Fabregues.
Attacker Joris Gouache and left-back Thibault Hamel are among those first-team players currently out injured.
Among those set to feature, Jorris Romil has been superb in the Coupe, as despite only have one goal in the league so far, he has three in this competition, following a brace in the 4-1 win at Fabregues.
While the Africa Cup of Nations has affected many Ligue 1 clubs, Brest have just one player away, with Kamory Doumbia on duty with Mali.
Despite heavy speculation linking him with AC Milan and Monaco, Lilian Brassier featured in the win over Montpellier, but he did not play in the previous round, so could sit this one out again.
Axel Camblan was sent off in that win over Angers so should return to the squad, but most likely only as a substitute.
Brest are expected to be without two players due to injury, as Jordan Amavi has a calf issue, and Adrien Lebeau missed the fixture last weekend with a knock.
Trelissac possible starting lineup:
Navaux; Gassama, Hamdi, Wanduka, Michau; Nkulu, Samba; Bisson, Diakite, Grain; Romil
Brest possible starting lineup:
Coudert; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Locko; Magnetti, Martin, Camara; Del Castillo, Satriano, Le Douaron
We say: Trelissac 0-4 Brest
Brest have overcome most teams in Ligue 1 with relatively little fuss over the past two months, seeing them surge up the table, and their fourth-tier opponents should not provide too much of an obstacle for them to surpass.
Trelissac come into this game in fine form themselves, but should Brest field a strong team here, they have very little chance of causing an upset against France's most in-form side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
