After securing a fifth-place finish in the 2024-25 campaign and advancing to the Europa League league phase, Nice are determined to elevate their performance this season by aiming for a top-four spot in Ligue 1, which would secure Champions League qualification for the first time since 2017.

Nice, known as Le Gym, were on track for this goal with a four-game unbeaten run, including a 3-1 victory over champions Paris Saint-Germain, but they faced a setback in their recent match at Rennes, where Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga scored a brace.

Having dropped points in the top flight for the first time in May during their trip to Roazhon Park, Nice currently sit in fourth place in the Ligue 1 standings ahead of their final-day clash with Brest. They are level on points with Lille in fifth and Strasbourg in sixth.

A win of any kind against Brest would virtually clinch a Champions League spot for Nice, who have impressed at home this season, losing only two of their 16 Ligue 1 matches at the Allianz Riviera.

Head coach Franck Haise, who joined last summer, is focused on guiding Nice back to Europe's top competition. The 54-year-old previously led Lens to a second-place finish in the 2022-23 season, earning them Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, after two consecutive defeats in April, Brest have bounced back in May with back-to-back home wins in Ligue 1, keeping their slim European hopes alive. They defeated bottom-side Montpellier HSC on May 4 and then overcame Lille last Saturday.

As underdogs in that match at Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest pulled off a surprise victory with goals from Kamory Doumbia and top scorer Ludovic Ajorque on either side of halftime, despite facing favorites Lille who are chasing Champions League spots.

With six points from their May fixtures so far, Eric Roy's Brest side has climbed to eighth in the Ligue 1 table, four points behind seventh-placed Lyon. They can only finish eighth or ninth on the final day.

Nevertheless, Brest still has a remote chance of European qualification next season if PSG wins the Coupe de France final against Reims and Lyon is banned from UEFA competitions due to financial issues.

Brest will fight hard to maximize their opportunities but need to match or better the result of ninth-placed Lens, who face Champions League-bound Monaco on Saturday at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Nice will be without midfielder Pablo Rosario, who earned a suspension after receiving a yellow card in the Rennes defeat. The team's midfield depth is further tested by the absence of Tanguy Ndombele, sidelined since February with a groin injury.

Additionally, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye, both dealing with knee injuries, will also miss the game at Allianz Riviera.

Brest is grappling with an injury crisis, with over five first-team players out for the trip to Nice, including former Aston Villa defender Jordan Amavi, who has been sidelined since mid-April with a calf strain.

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Dante, Bombito, Bard; Clauss, Boudaoui, Boga, Sanson, Abdi; Guessand, Laborde

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Fernandes, N'Diaye, Haidara; Camara, Magnetti, Doumbia; Del Castillo, Pereira-Lage, Ajorque