Brest vs Nice Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Stade Brest have been plucky once again as they now come up against likely strugglers but still competitive Nice at Stade Francis-le Ble in Ligue 1 on Friday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / USA – beIN Sports Connect
Brest preview: Steady Brest
Following the passing of manager Eric Roy, Stade Brest have remained competitive this season under his former assistant Julien Laroucher as they sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table after seven matches thus far.
Brest come into this one on the back of sharing a 1-1 draw against high-flying Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy last week, opening the scoring early on via Mama Balde before Olivier Giroud equalised from the penalty spot mid-way through the second half.
Nice preview: Showing fight
Having survived relegation in the end of season relegation/promotion play-off against Saint-Etienne at the back end of last season, Nice have shown some fight with wins either side of the international break against Lille and Strasbourg.
They were beaten by Olympique Lyonnais at Parc OL last weekend. They took the lead via Elye Wahi before Lyon got themselves a victory with goals scored by Pavel Sulc and Tanner Tessmann ahead of Keito Nakamura being sent off in the 70th minute.
Brest team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury issues for Brest to deal with as Giovani Versini works his way back to full fitness as defenders Brendan Chardonnet and Raphael Le Guen remain sidelined for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Selvik; Lala, Tousart, Lloris, Locko; Chotard, Magnetti; Balde, Doumbia, Mboup; Ajorque
Unavailable: Chardonnet (Injured), Le Guen (Injured)
Questionable: Versini (Fitness)
Nice team news: Abdi a doubt
Ali Abdi is now a doubt for Nice this weekend after sustaining an injury against Lyon with fellow defenders Moise Bombito and Antoine Mendy remaining sidelined alongside midfield duo Laurent Abergel and Morgan Sanson.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Diouf; Abdelmonem, Ndayishimiye, Mandza; Clauss, Boudaoui, Witsel, Nkounkou; Hein, Amoura; Wahi
Unavailable: Moise Bombito (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Abergel (Injured), Sanson (Injured)
Questionable: Abdi (Injured)
Brest vs Nice prediction
Frustrated by a defeat to ten-man opposition, Nice remained competitive and improved in that defeat against Lyon now under the management of former Leicester City and Southampton boss Claude Puel. They head to a Brest side that themselves have been improved after the break. The hosts will remain slight favourites but it is unlikely to be a thriller for the neutral, given the way in which Puel sets his teams up to play.
Brest vs Nice tip: Double chance – Brest to win or draw & under 3.5 goals
