Preview: Brest vs. Angers - prediction, team news, lineups

Brest and Angers battle in the round of 64 of the Coupe de France at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Saturday.

Both sides head into this weekend's tie in outstanding form, giving them confidence to progress to the next stage.

Match preview

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Brest begin their Coupe de France journey against Angers, keen to build on the commendable form they showed before Ligue 1's hiatus in December.

The Pirates lost 2-0 at Monaco in early November, but that turned out to be the Brittany outfit's last defeat in 2023, starting a run of six without losing in the French top division.

Five wins were secured through that period, including four clean sheets, and Eric Roy will hope his side pick up where they left off despite the break.

Brest have never won the Coupe de France, with their best showing a quarter-final place in 2014-15, and success on Saturday takes them closer to at least matching that run nine years later.

Champions League qualification for Roy's men would be the dream ambition this season, but possible cup success alongside should excite supporters.

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They are not expected to face welcoming opponents in this weekend's tie, with Angers currently the best side in Ligue 2.

Despite ending at the bottom of Ligue 1 last season, the Black and Whites have regrouped spectacularly to lead the second tier after 19 games and have automatic promotion in their sights.

Alexandre Dujeux's men are undefeated since October 30's 2-0 loss at Saint-Etienne, with that reverse beginning the club's nine-game sequence without losing.

Angers owe much of their form to a backline that has conceded 16 times in 19 Ligue 2 games, the best record in the French second tier.

Having already defeated HAC and Plessis Robinson in previous rounds, Angers now seek to claim their first scalp in the cup against high-flying opposition.