22 October 2021, 16:50 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 fixture, Lille OSC vs. Stade Brestois 29, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 23, at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. This will be the tenth episode of their rivalry, dating back to the 1993/1994 Ligue 1 season.
Preview Lille Ligue 1, Oct 23, 2021
Preview Lille were unable to find a way through against Sevilla in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Group G fixture and eventually settled for a point after a goalless draw. Last weekend, the French champions suffered another major setback in their title defense, falling to a 1-0 defeat to the Ligue 1 newcomers, Clermont Foot. A single strike from Vital N'Simba (32’) was enough to decide the outcome of the game as Lille failed to find their way back despite having more of the ball, - a 57% possession. The disappointing defeat was the second of its kind in five Ligue 1 games: LWWWL, and it saw the French champions tumble three spots down from 8th to 11th place. Lille has 14 points alongside four other teams in a tightly packed Ligue 1 mid-table section, after 4W, 2D, & 4L. A slow start to the season leaves the club with an average of 1.3 goals per game, having scored 13 goals in ten Ligue 1 games. Taking a look at Lille’s defense, the backline has conceded as many as 15 goals (1.5 goals conceded per game), leaving Jocelyn Gourvennec’s side with a G.D. of -2. Off the pace with almost twice as many points as in their possession, Lille will look to get their campaign back on track, starting with a win against Brest on Saturday. A familiar 4—4—2 formation with Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz is expected from Jocelyn Gourvennec. Gourvennec has no major injury worries ahead of this weekend's fixture.
Preview Brest Ligue 1, Oct 23, 2021
Preview Navigating through troubled waters, Brest remains in 19th place despite a 1-1 draw against Reims on Matchday 10, which leaves the club with 5 points after 0W, 5D, & 5L. Brest are without a win this season and have the form: DLLLD, ahead of this Matchday 11 fixture against the French Champions. A closer look at the numbers clearly identifies the defense as the club’s Achilles heel. Brest have 11 goals after 10 Ligue 1 games. An average of 1.1 goals scored per game, but the Pirates have conceded as many as 19 goals this season (an average of 1.9 goals-per-match). The Pirates have a goal difference of -8. On Saturday, Michel Der Zakarian’s attacking 4—2—3—1 formation could see Steve Mounié in attack once again. The 58-year-old coach has no major injury worries ahead of this Matchday 11 fixture.