Brest and PSG, on the back of contrasting UEFA Champions League finishes, entertain the Ligue 1 audience on Saturday.
Eric Roy will want Brest to continue a strong run of form in Ligue 1, following three straight wins heading into this mammoth clash against PSG. The hosts have managed to sweep aside Le Havre, RC Lens and Lyon in recent matchdays, although they will enter the weekend against the league leaders, following a strange finish to their UEFA Champions League campaign.
At one stage, Brest had a top-eight spot in their sights heading into Matchday 7, but they surprisingly lost out to Shakhtar Donetsk. The French side then followed that up with another loss against Real Madrid, which all but ended any hope of an automatic qualification spot, as they finished in the 18th spot.
The repercussion could be a potential playoff round against the next opponent, PSG, later. For now, manager Roy will want to end their dreadful run of results against the Parisians and continue their march towards a top-four place, where they are only five points off fourth-placed OGC Nice.
Meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s side extended their unbeaten run to 13 games across all competitions following a third consecutive win in the Champions League. PSG had a dreadful run in the European competition until Matchday 5, when they had three defeats, one draw, and a win, but have turned it around to finish in 15th place, which makes them a seeded team ahead of the playoffs draw.
In those three consecutive wins, PSG beat Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City and then Stuttgart, scoring 11 times in the process. Being a seeded team now, the Parisians are now set to face Brest as their playoff opponent. Should they make it out, PSG could face either one of Liverpool or Barcelona in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, they are cruising in Ligue 1 after 19 games, as PSG have a terrific ten-point cushion at the top over second-placed Marseille. They lead the next opponent, Brest, by a mammoth 19 points, as Enrique would like to extend that gap on Saturday and continue the club’s impressive run of 26 unbeaten games against the hosts.
Team News & Tactics
Brest
Brest could see a full return for defender Julien Le Cardinal against PSG following a recent hamstring problem, as well as an appearance in midweek. He could be part of the starting eleven. However, the manager might not risk him just yet, as Brendan Chardonnet and Soumalia Coulibaly could start centrally as Kenny Lala and Mathias Lage support from the full-back roles.
In terms of the other absentees, Massadio Haidara, Jordan Amavi, Jonas Martin and Bradley Locko are missing from action.
Brest could use their typical 4-2-2-2 shape against PSG, with Hugo Magnetti and Edimilson Fernandes playing in central midfield, while Kamory Doumbia and Mahdi Camara operate in the advanced roles. Mama Balde and Ludovic Ajorque will lead the line for Brest against PSG.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Lage; Fernandes, Magnetti; Doumbia, Camara; Balde, Ajorque
PSG
PSG have a fully-fit squad ahead of this league clash with Brest, as Nuno Mendes returned to action. There is the injury to Ibrahim Mbaye, but he was not expected to feature heavily, while Warren Zaire-Emery was seen limping off the pitch following their midweek UEFA Champions League clash.
While PSG are yet to rule out the young midfielder completely from the Brest clash, there are chances he could shrug off his problem and feature, albeit on the bench. Moreover, Luis Enrique may not risk him, as he does have plenty of options to ponder about, as Fabian Ruiz could feature alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves in PSG’s midfield.
January arrival Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who provided a telling assist for Ousmane Dembele, could get another opportunity in this PSG side, which could also see Enrique shuffle his attacking pack.
So, there is a chance for Desire Doue could start centrally while hat-trick hero Ousmane Dembele will feature on the right. Bradley Barcola could be on the bench for this one despite getting on the scoresheet instead.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz; Dembele, Doue, Kvaratskhelia
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 16 of their last 17 matches against Brest in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 21 matches in Ligue 1.
- Brest have won their last three Ligue 1 games.
- Brest have only won 10 times in a Ligue 1 season once before and are one win away this term.
Player to Watch
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Georgian international made a telling contribution on his full debut for PSG, providing a key assist for Ousmane Dembele’s goal, which helped them draw against Reims. He will be hungry to showcase more of his talent on the left wing once again, as Kvaratskhelia will want to shine on the pitch once again.
With PSG making it through to the Champions League and will face Brest next in the playoffs, Kvaratskhelia will be a key component for Enrique in the next rounds. This game could be a warm-up of sorts, as the Parisians will be hoping their Groegian winger will shine on the pitch once again.
Prediction
Brest 1-3 PSG
Brest might be on a recent good run of form, winning their last three games, although they will be disappointed with their UEFA Champions League outcome. In any case, they will play PSG in the playoffs round, and this will be a dress rehearsal of sorts, where the home side can show they can provide a big fight later on.
However, despite the run of form that PSG are in, as well as their scoring run, they are the overwhelming favourites to win this clash. Brest will probably have a tough ask to get three points, meaning Luis Enrique’s men could extend their lead at the top of the table with a win on Saturday. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Enrique and his charges.