Brest vs Saint-Etienne Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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After their historic and remarkable third place finish in Ligue 1 last season, Stade Brest have had a nightmare-ish return after the summer as they now welcome newly-promoted Saint-Etienne to Stade Francis-Le Ble.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 31st August, 2024 - UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – beIN Sports or beIN Sports de Espanol
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 website pass / US – Fubo or Fanatiz
BREST PREVIEW: FLASH IN THE PAN OR REALITY
With one of the smallest budgets in Ligue 1, former Sunderland player Eric Roy managed to produce one of the most remarkable achievements anywhere in Europe as Stade Brest finished third and secured UEFA Champions League qualification on the final day of the campaign – but there are issues at the start of the season.
With injuries and departures having an impact, Brest have started this season really poorly. On the opening day of the season, Brest suffered a 5-1 hammering at home to Olympique de Marseille before they then went north to face Lens and were then beaten by two goals to nil by Will Still’s side.
SAINT-ETIENNE PREVIEW: STRUGGLING TO ADAPT
Saint-Etienne are one of many fallen giants in French football that have been suffering from financial issues in recent seasons but they managed to overcome that last season to win the end of season relegation playoff against Metz and get themselves back in the top-flight under the management of former Montpellier Herault boss Olivier Dall’Oglio.
The Greens have started the season slowly with their relentlessly stubborn style of football. That stubborn style did have a positive effect in their opening game as they managed to limit a strong Monaco side to just a 1-0 scoreline before they were then beaten by two goals to nil by Le Havre last weekend.
BREST TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Amavi; Camara, Martin, Pereira Lage; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Le Douaron
UNAVAILABLE: M’Bock (Injured), Locko (Injured), Ndiaye (Suspended), Lees-Melou (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SAINT-ETIENNE TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Larsonneur; Nzuzi, Batubinsika, Abdelhamid, Macon; Tardieu; Davitashvili, Old, Amougou, Cafaro; Sissoko
UNAVAILABLE: Petrot (Injured), Bentayg (Injured), Briancon (Injured), Moueffek (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BREST VS SAINT-ETIENNE PREDICTION
Eric Roy and his Brest side will be desperate to try and get themselves back up and running to ensure they don’t face the horrible situation of playing in the UEFA Champions League whilst also being involved in a Ligue 1 relegation battle – as would have actually been expected at the start of last season. Saint-Etienne are very much expected to be involved in that with a low-scoring affair expected here given their style of football but Brest, especially with home advantage, should really fancy their chances.
BREST VS SAINT-ETIENNE TIP: BREST TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
