Lorient play host to Brest in a Ligue 1 game at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday. Lorient currently sit comfortably in 10th place in the table, and given that they are 16 points from the drop zone, have very little to play for at this stage of the season.
Despite this, they still pulled off one of the shocks of the season by beating Paris St. Germain last weekend. Brest, meanwhile, are in 14th place, but are still only three points away from the relegation places. However, they are currently on their best run of the season, and are unbeaten in their last six games.
This game is slightly tricky to call. Both teams are evenly matched, and while Brest’s form is far better coming into this game, Lorient are coming off the back of their big win over PSG.
Brest clearly have more to play for, knowing that three points, or even a point, will probably cement their safety, but they can’t afford to take Lorient lightly after last weekend.
Overall, this game could be an entertaining one, but Brest’s toughened defence and stronger motivation could prove to be the difference-maker in the end.
Prediction: Lorient 0-1 Brest
This match will start from 6:30 pm
This match will take place on 7 May 2023
Lorient have been dealt a couple of fresh defensive blows ahead of the visit of Brest, as centre-back Bamo Meite must serve a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, while right-back Gedeon Kalulu came off on the 65-minute mark with an unspecified injury.
However, Kalulu is understood to have trained as normal this week and could force his way into the squad alongside Theo Le Bris (groin) and Julien Laporte (knee), while Jean-Victor Makengo also has a slim chance of a comeback.
Igor Silva (thigh) and Vito Mannone (foot) are not expected back in time for Sunday’s game, where Kalulu could deputise in central defence for Meite as Stephane Diarra and Yoann Cathline battle for a start on the right.
Mvogo; Kalulu, Talbi, Le Goff; Diarra, Innocent, Abergel, Yongwa; Faivre, Le Fee; Dieng
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Duverne; Belkebla, Lees-Melou, Camara; Pereira Lage, Mounie, Le Douaron
We say: Lorient 1-1 Brest
There is much less on the line for Lorient than Brest at this stage of the season, but Le Bris will not want to witness any drop-off in performance following last week’s memorable success, which should lead to a combative and closely-fought derby this weekend.
Brest may be on an upward trajectory, but failure to convert draws into wins on the road is bedevilling them, and we can picture Les Pirates accepting a point on their travels again.
Tip 1: Result – Brest to win.
Tip 2: Game to feature less than 2.5 goals – Yes (there have been under 2.5 goals scored in Brest’s last four games).
Tip 3: Brest to keep a clean sheet – Yes (Brest have kept a clean sheet in their last three league games).
The match will be live televised on Sports18.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tLzOq6usrZ6bvK2wjZympmecpL%2Bqsc2tZK%2BrXZe%2Fpr%2FTZqernZSesLW1zqdkoZ2RmXq1u4yhnJqcXaG2t7GMrKurnZGierW1zJ5knZmkmnq1scCmZKedp6h6rbXNnqypZZ6axLR5zp2brGWjqa61v4ybnK2smaO0bsDIqapmrKKau6W%2FjLCfnqqVYsGwedaaq5ygXaG2t7GMrJqoqpVis7OxzZyfZqSZnMKmeZBmaWlqY2LBprjEnJisrF2pvKWt2GakmqyTnXqlsdOaoKWrXw%3D%3D