Ligue 1 | Gameweek 22

Feb 14, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stade Francis-Le Ble

Brest vs Auxerre

Match preview

It has been an incredibly busy 2025 for Stade Brestois, and the fatigue of that demanding schedule seemed to show on Tuesday as they were thrashed 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie.

However, despite their struggles in Europe, Eric Roy's men have been able to cope with the demands of the competition this year, winning four of their last five.

Their domestic consistency this year has put them back in the conversation for a possible return to Europe next season, and they currently sit just two points behind Lyon for a Europa Conference League spot.

Les Pirates have won four of their last five Ligue 1 matches, as many as they had in their previous 11 outings in the competition.

They have taken maximum points from three of their last four top-flight encounters at Stade Francis-Le Ble, winning those three meetings by a combined score of 9-3.

However, should they lose this match, it will be the first time since February-March 2023 that they have suffered consecutive Ligue 1 defeats at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

In the run-up to Valentine's Day, Christophe Pelissier's side's performances have not been something to write home about for some time.

AJA's 2-2 draw last Sunday extended their winless run to 10 matches in a row in all competitions, and they have taken just three points from six league games this year.

They have failed to collect maximum points in the competition on nine successive occasions and are one of only two teams in Europe's big five leagues not to have won a game in normal time since December, the other being Reims.

Pelissier's side have failed to win three times in the top flight this season when conceding the opening goal, and last time out they squandered two second-half advantages against Toulouse.

The Burgundy outfit have lost their last four away from home, conceding 11 goals and scoring just three in the process.

Auxerre won their last meeting with Brest in September, 3-0, and could record back-to-back Ligue 1 victories against them on Friday.

Recent Performance

Brest Ligue 1 form:LWWWLW

Brest form (all competitions):WLLWWL

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:LDLDLD

Team News

Brest were without Bradley Locko (lower leg), Jonas Martin (pulled muscle) and Jordan Amavi (thigh) in their last Ligue 1 encounter, while Mahdi Camara was suspended for the game.

Ludovic Ajorque scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season, which proved to be the winner against Nantes, and Pierre Lees-Melou added a late consolation.

For Auxerre, Lasso Coulibaly and Nathan Buayi-Kiala were sidelined last week with cruciate ligament injuries, Eros Maddy suffered a knock, Theo Bair has a lower leg problem and Paul Joly is suspended.

Jubal put them ahead against Toulouse just after the hour mark, with Hamed Traore scoring his ninth goal of the campaign to lead all AJA players in the competition.

Possible starting lineup

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Haidara; Del Castillo, Lees-Melou, Doumbia; Balde, Ajorque, Sima

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Leon; Diomande, Jubal, Osho; Danois, Diousse, Massengo, Mensah; Perrin, Traore; Sinayoko