Brest and Lille will get their 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaigns underway when they clash at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday afternoon. 

The hosts finished ninth in the league in 2024-25, while the visitors secured European qualification as they placed fifth in the standings.

Match preview

After a remarkable third-placed finish in Ligue 1 in 2023-24, hopes were high heading into the 2024-25 campaign, but Brest were unable to match their prior achievements as they dropped to ninth in the league. 

Eric Roy, who has been in charge since January 2023, led his side to 15 wins, five draws and 14 defeats from 34 league matches, meaning Brest trailed the European places by only seven points. 

Brest done well to climb back into contention for the top seven after a miserable start to the campaign, winning only two and losing four of their first six league fixtures. 

Now hoping to record a markedly improved start to the 2025-26 season, Brest will hope to build on a superb pre-season campaign that saw them remain undefeated with four wins and one draw. 

The hosts do face a challenging first fixture, though, as Lille will be looking to secure a spot in the European places for the fourth consecutive year. 

Lille placed fifth last season with 60 points from 34 league games, narrowly missing out on a place in the Champions League spots on goal difference as they finished joint on points with fourth-placed Nice. 

Bruno Genesio's side followed that up with a mixed pre-season schedule, winning three, losing two and drawing one of their six friendly fixtures. 

Hoping to start the 2025-26 term with a victory as they aim to bridge the gap to the top four spots this season, Lille will look to take all three points from a trip to the Stade Francis-Le Ble for the first time since March 2013, having failed to win in their last five visits.

Brest form (all competitions):

D W W W W

Lille form (all competitions):

D W L L W W

Team News

Brest are expected to be without Justin Bourgault for the 2025-26 Ligue 1 opener, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection. 

Ludovic Ajorque and Michel Diaz have signed for Brest during the summer transfer window, and both could make their full debuts for the club in this one.

As for Lille, Tiago Santos and Aissa Mandi are doubts to feature for the away side, while Thomas Meunier and Ethan Mbappe are both ruled out of the away trip. 

New signing Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in Lille's last two friendlies since joining the club in the summer, and the striker could lead the line on Sunday. 

Brest possible starting lineup:

Coudert; Lala, Chardonnet, Diaz, Locko; Camara, Magnetti, Melou; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Balde

Lille possible starting lineup:

Bodart; Mandi, Ngoy, Ribeiro, Perraud; Andre, Mukau; Broholm, Haraldsson, Correira; Giroud

We say: Brest 2-1 Lille

Brest have enjoyed a superb pre-season in preparation for this fixture, and given their strong home record in recent meetings with Lille, we expect the hosts to win this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Ellis Stevens

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