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

In-form Lyon seek to end Brest's ongoing unbeaten run in Ligue 1 when they host the Pirates in Sunday's gameweek 29 clash at Groupama Stadium.

Les Gones have won three of their last four league games, and they face the second-placed side on a three-game streak without losing.

Match preview

© Reuters

Lyon have undoubtedly put their dreadful start to the season behind them, with Pierre Sage's arrival at the backend of last year helping to turn the club's fortunes around.

Last weekend's 3-1 win at Nantes was the club's fifth consecutive away victory, having claimed just two between August and January, continuing the upswing under new management.

However, Les Gones are experiencing a mini wobble at the Groupama, with a 3-0 defeat to Lens and a 1-1 draw against Reims meaning they have secured one point from six in front of their supporters, and they hope to avoid dropping points against the league's second-placed side.

Striking for Sage's men during this ongoing run is their inability to score multiple times on home soil, having netted one goal or fewer in all but one match in their last six home Ligue 1 encounters — a 3-2 loss to Rennes in January — pointing to the need for a different strategy when they play as hosts.

This run represents the longest streak without a home win for the new manager since his November appointment, a sequence the Kids hope does not become three without maximum points.

© Reuters

Brest are expected to pose a genuine threat to Lyon's aim to avoid a three-game winless run at the Groupama, keen to extend their two-match winning run by beating the 10th-placed club.

Only Paris Saint-Germain (10) and Monaco (eight) have won more road games than the Pirates, whose next triumph on their travels will be their eighth this term.

Whether it comes against Lyon remains to be seen, but the club with the third-best points tally (24) on their travels this season are keen to claim a third victory in four matches, with the only reverse in the ongoing streak a 1-0 loss at Lens on March 9.

Interestingly, that was the only time Brest have failed to score on the road in eight matches, dating back to a 2-0 loss suffered in Monaco in November, underscoring the Pirates' consistency on their travels.

With Lyon going through an indifferent streak on their turf, Eric Roy will hope his men carry the same attacking third threat displayed in several away games this term.

Team News

© Reuters

Duje Caleta-Car is suspended for one game on Sunday, ruling out the defender for this one.

Orel Mangala is not anticipated to play in any capacity due to injury.

Brest have no reported injury worries, but Kenny Lala and Jonas Martin are suspended this weekend after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Mahdi Camara has netted three of the Pirates' last four goals on their travels, notching a hat-trick in the 3-0 triumph over Strasbourg, and the midfielder hopes to come up trumps on Sunday.

Lyon possible starting lineup: Lopes; Maitland-Niles, O'Brien, Lovren, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Matic, Tolisso; Nuamah, Lacazette, Benrahma

Brest possible starting lineup: Bizot; Le Cardinal, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara; Del Castillo, Satriano, Lage

We say: Lyon 2-2 Brest

Despite failing to score in their last two Ligue 1 meetings with Brest, Lyon's seven-game undefeated run against this weekend's opponents should become eight in a potentially exciting game.

The goalless game at the Groupama last year was an anomaly, as eight of the last 10 matches between these sides have ended with both sides scoring. Thus, expect another high-scoring affair on Sunday.

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