Brest return to domestic matters after a historic midweek win when they host Toulouse at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday.

Match preview

For the first time in a generation, Brest took to the field in a European fixture in midweek, and it just so happened to be in the Champions League, and they took all three points against the Austrian champions.

It is still remarkable how a club who slipped out of the professional leagues entirely for 15 years, and had not finished in the top half of Ligue 1 since 1990, managed to finish third last season, but they have now given themselves an incredible opportunity to reach the knockout stage.

Brest were fully deserving of their three points too, as Abdallah Sima scored the winner after an unfortunate Edmilson Fernandes own goal had cancelled out Hugo Magnetti's opener.

Had it not been for Sima's fellow Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Kjell Scherpen in the Sturm goal, Brest could have been out of sight late on, but Eric Roy's side held on for the 2-1 win.

That could be the catalyst to kickstart Brest's season, as they enter the weekend with just three points from their opening four games.

Following on from last season's heroics was always going to be difficult, and Roy must ensure he can keep his side focused on domestic matters in the midst of some huge fixtures in Europe.

The last time Brest lost as many games in their opening four games, they were relegated in 1979-80, and they are only above the drop zone on goal difference at present, but it is still very early in the campaign.

Rediscovering their outstanding home form from last season will be key, with Brest coming into this game having lost only two of their previous 14 Ligue 1 matches at the Francis-Le Ble, one of which was against Marseille on the opening day.

Since returning to the top flight in 2019, Brest have faced Toulouse six times and they are still yet to taste defeat, winning three, drawing three and scoring an impressive 14 goals.

That is in stark contrast to the head-to-head results between the sides prior to this current six-game run, as Brest had only won one of the first 22 meetings in Ligue 1.

Toulouse should feel confident of ending their current winless run after claiming their first victory of the season last weekend, getting the better of a resolute Le Havre team by two goals to nil.

That was their 10th league win of 2024, meaning as it stands, Toulouse currently have their best win percentage in a calendar year since 1953.

After a slow start though, they remain in the bottom half heading into the weekend, but only a potential win away from moving into the European places.

Player injuries:

brest

Player’s reason for absence

20 (Back) Pierre Melao fractured fibula

2 (LH) Bradley Locke ruptured Achilles tendon

Toulouse

Player’s reason for absence

9 (Center) Frank Magli red card and suspension

possible starting lineup: