Ligue 1 | Gameweek 9

Oct 26, 2024 at 6pm UK

Stade Auguste-Delaune II

Reims vs Brest

Match preview

After going unbeaten in six games between the end of August and the beginning of this month, Reims were beaten 2-1 away to Auxerre last weekend, despite dominating the game with 65% possession.

Japanese winger Keito Nakamura scored for the fifth match in a row in Ligue 1, but his goal in the 95th minute was only a consolation as Les Rouges et Blancs lost their first away game of the season.

Since Luka Elsner became head coach in June, Reims has posted four wins, two draws and two defeats. The team is currently sixth in the top-flight table, level on points with fourth-placed Lille and six points behind Marseille in third.

Reims will be back at Stade Auguste-Delaune II, where they've won four of their last six home matches. But they've had a tough time beating Brest recently, drawing five and losing one of their last six league meetings.

The only loss came at home in September 2023. Brest came from behind to win 2-1 and secure third place in Ligue 1, the club's highest-ever top-flight finish.

Since then, the Pirates have had a bit of an up-and-down start to the new campaign. They've won three, drawn one and lost four of their opening eight league games. Most recently, they drew 1-1 with Rennes on home soil last weekend after conceding an 86th-minute equaliser.

Eric Roy's team have done well in their first Champions League campaign this season. They've picked up seven points in their first three games, including one in a 1-1 draw with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Next month, Brest will play Sparta Prague and Barcelona in the UCL. But first, they have to focus on Ligue 1. They're currently in 11th place, just four points from the relegation zone and Saturday's opponents, Reims.

Brest haven't done so well away from home. They've lost all three Ligue 1 matches away by an aggregate score of 8-1, although they did well in their most recent away match in the Champions League, beating Red Bull Salzburg 4-0 on 1 October.

Recent Performance

Reims Ligue 1 form:WWDWWL

Brest Ligue 1 form:WLWLWD

Brest form (all competitions):WLWWDD

Injuries and suspensions

Reims

92 Abdoul Koné

14 Reda Khadra

9 Mohamed Daramy

Brest

2 Bradley Locko

Team News

The Reims trio of Mohamed Daramy, Reda Khadra (both knee) and Abdoul Kone (hamstring) are still out with injuries, but midfielder Yaya Fofana is back in contention after serving a one-match ban last weekend.

It looks like Amine Salama will be leading the line once again, as Mohamed Daramy is out. It seems likely that Japanese wingers Nakamura and Junya Ito will be joining him up front, while Teddy Teuma, Valentin Atangana Edoa and Marshall Munetsi should all keep their places in midfield.

Brest will be without Julien Le Cardinal, who is nursing a groin injury, and Bradley Locko, who remains sidelined with an Achilles problem. However, the visitors are able to welcome back left-back Massadio Haidara, who served a domestic suspension last weekend.

Abdallah Sima is back in action after recovering from a hamstring injury. He started and played for 66 minutes in the midweek draw with Leverkusen. He could be fit to start again on Saturday alongside fellow attackers Ludovic Ajorque and Romain Del Castillo. They've scored a combined eight goals in all competitions this season.

Possible starting lineups

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Buta, Kipre, Agbadou, Akieme; Munetsi, Edoa; Ito, Teuma, Nakamura; Salama

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Amarvi; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima