Ligue 1 | Gameweek 24

Mar 2, 2025 at 2pm UK

Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon vs Brest

Match preview

After dispatching relegation-threatened Reims and Montpellier HSC in emphatic fashion, Lyon stumbled in their biggest test of the season, going down 3-2 to PSG at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.

In a thrilling encounter, the decisive moments came in the second half, with the visitors breaking the deadlock through Achraf Hakimi in the 52nd minute before Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead five minutes later, setting the stage for a frantic final 10 minutes.

Ryan Cherki pulled one back for the hosts in the 83rd minute, but any hopes of a dramatic turnaround were short-lived as Hakimi struck again to restore PSG's two-goal cushion, making Corentin Tolisso's stoppage-time strike a footnote in a contest that had already been decided.

With this defeat coming hot on the heels of their triumph over Montpellier, OL must now contend with a worrying pattern if they are to avoid another prolonged drought, as their previous win over the same opponents in the reverse fixture preceded a seven-match winless run in all competitions - four of them in the top flight - which also began with a defeat.

However, the Kids will take solace in their formidable home record against Brest, a team they have beaten in eight of their 12 Ligue 1 meetings on their own turf and are unbeaten in the remainder - making this weekend's visitors the only side against whom they have such a record in 2024-25.

Lyon have won six of the 11 league games played at their ground this season, with their 20 points from those encounters making Paulo Fonseca's side the eighth-best home side in the league - a strength they will need to build on as they look to return to winning ways.

Brest, on the other hand, go into the game on a roll, having failed to win in their last five matches in all competitions, drawing two and losing three - a costly run that has seen them eliminated from two tournaments.

After suffering a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of PSG on aggregate 10-0, the Pirates were last knocked out of the Coupe de France by Ligue 2 outfit Dunkerque in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 home defeat to end their cup run.

The remaining two games of Brest's winless run have come in the league, with a 2-2 draw against Auxerre and a goalless draw away to Strasbourg in their last outing keeping Eric Roy's side in ninth place, three points behind this weekend's hosts.

The result also extended Les Pirates' unbeaten run away from home in Ligue 1 to four, having won each of their previous three outings, although 13 points from 12 away games makes them the ninth worst travelling side in the division.

Recent Performance

Lyon Ligue 1 form:DDLWWL

Lyon form (all competitions):DDLWWL

Brest Ligue 1 form:WWLWDD

Brest form (all competitions):WLDLDL

Team News

Having seemingly emerged unscathed from their clash with PSG, Lyon go into this weekend's fixture with a clean bill of health, giving Fonseca plenty of options to choose from.

Georges Mikautadze could return to lead the line after a 10-minute cameo off the bench last time out to set up Cherki's goal, with the latter possibly dropping back to the number nine position.

Cherki could operate from the flanks in a three-man advanced midfield, likely to include the in-form Tolisso, who found the net for the fourth consecutive game against PSG.

Bradley Locko remains sidelined with an Achilles problem, while Ibrahim Salah is sidelined until mid-March with a foot injury and Romain Del Castillo continues his recovery from a knee problem.

Meanwhile, Jordan Amavi, who has been out since 11 January with a hamstring injury, has returned to the squad as an unused substitute and could be given a few minutes to regain match fitness.

Marco Bizot is expected to resume league action between the sticks after sitting out the cup tie against Dunkirk, with Gregoire Coudert, who was in goal in that match, expected to make way.

Possible starting lineup

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Perri; Kumbedi, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Matic, Tessmann; Cherki, Tolisso, Nuamah; Mikautadze

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Haidara; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara; Pereira-Lage, Ajorque, Sima