Le Mans vs Brest Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Le Mans have returned to the top-flight of French football and they face an opening day clash against Stade Brest, who experienced an emotional summer.
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
Le Mans preview: Back in the top-flight
For the first time since 2010, Le Mans are in Ligue 1. They gained promotion from Ligue 2 as runners-up last season. Their manager, Patrick Videira, has been in charge since 2024 after previously only managing lower league side Furiani-Agliani for six years. He has led Le Mans to back-to-back promotions from Championnat National to Ligue 1 in his two seasons in charge.
While an incredible rise and clearly impressive coaching is being done, Le Mans' squad has needed and still does need strengthening. They have brought in Billal Brahimi and Louis Mafouta from Santos and Guingamp respectively.
Brest preview: Tragedy over the summer
In June, it was confirmed that Stade Brest manager Eric Roy had passed away. It was revealed that Roy has been dealing with cancer for a couple of years but only a select few knew of this. In that time, Brest have significantly overachieved, even qualifying for the UEFA Champions League a few years ago.
Brest have now appointed former player Julien Laucher, who finished his career at the club between 2005 and 2010. Laucher had been the assistant coach to Roy since the latter's appointment in January 2023.
Le Mans team news: Voyer suspended
Le Mans have a fully fit squad for the opening day visit of Brest but the hosts do have one absentee as defender Harold Voyer is carrying through a suspension from last season.
Predicted XI (3-1-4-2): Kocik; Sidibe, Raul Torrente, Yohou; Quarshie; Lauray, Robin, Rossignol, Bourabaa; Brahimi, Mafouta
Unavailable: Voyer (Suspended)
Questionable:
Brest team news: Couple of issues
Brest are expected to keep their starting eleven as close to what it was in recent years as possible. Versatile defender Brendan Chardonnet remains sidelined as he often was last season with midfielder Hugo Magnetti a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Selvik; Lala, Lloris, Le Guen, Locko; Diambou, Chotard; Nonge, Tousart, Del Castillo; Ajorque
Unavailable: Chardonnet (Injured)
Questionable: Magnetti (Injured)
Le Mans vs Brest prediction
How Brest go about this season is anyone's guess with grief and mourning taking many forms and the length of time to grieve completely personal and different for everyone. The likelihood is that they remain a fairly low-scoring side and Le Mans will fancy beginning their return to the top-flight without a defeat and so backing a low-scoring encounter on the opening day of the season at Stade Marie-Marving seems a decent bet.
Le Mans vs Brest tip: Under 2.5 goals
