In-form Brest welcome Rennes to the Stade Francis-Le Ble for the first top-flight Breton derby of the season on Saturday.

The hosts currently sit second in the lengthy Champions League table, and transferred that form over into Ligue 1 before the international break.

Match preview

Just when it appeared life could not get much better for Brest under Eric Roy, after they defied the odds to qualify for the Champions League last season, they have performed above expectation again.

A slightly slow start was easily forgiven, but Brest have quickly found their feet, having now won four out of their last five games in all competitions.

The only blip in that run was a defeat at Auxerre, but they made up for that with two wins to kickstart their European campaign, including a thrashing of Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

All of their points in Ligue 1 so far have come at home too, winning their last three domestic games at the Francis-Le Ble, so they will be looking to make it five in a row at home here.

One eye could be on the fixture in midweek though, as matchday three of the Champions League pairs them up with German champions Bayer Leverkusen at their alternate home in Guingamp.

For a local derby though, both players and staff will be fully fixated on this upcoming encounter, especially considering Brest's poor record against Rennes, with just one win 14.

That sole victory did come in the most recent meeting though - an astonishing 5-4 win back in April - but you need to go back over 13 years to find the last time Brest won at home to their upcoming opponents.

However, Rennes are slightly out of sorts heading into this clash, having lost four of their opening seven league games this season - their worst start since 2002, when they would go on to finish 15th.

Julien Stephan's job is therefore under threat, and there were some rumours that he could have been sacked during the break, after suffering a defeat at home to Monaco last time out.

Rennes have been unable to build on the 3-0 win over Lyon they enjoyed on the opening weekend, with their only other success coming via the same scoreline against Montpellier.

All three away games so far have ended in defeat, but not for the want of trying, as Rennes have scored in all of their games so far this season.

Turning goals into points is the only thing that will save Stephan's job though, as the 11 they have scored have only translated into seven points from a possible 21.

Team News

All of Brest's issues come at left-back currently, with Bradley Locko out due to an Achilles problem, Jordan Amavi doubtful, and Massadio Haidara serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal in the win over Le Havre.

Edimilson Fernandes should be able to return, and his versatility could prove useful in the face of that crisis on the left-hand side of defence.

Roy kept most of his Brest squad over the international break, as Mama Balde was the only player away, representing Guinea-Bissau in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Rennes will be without Lorenz Assignon here, as his booking just three minutes after coming on against Monaco was his third of the campaign already, triggering a suspension.

Henrik Meister and backup goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar are the only injury concerns for the visitors, as Jota returned from a brief absence to make a 10-minute cameo last time out.

Seven of the Rennes side were away on international duty, but all appear to have returned unscathed, so Stephan should have a strong group to choose from here.

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Fernandes; Camara, Magnetti, Doumbia; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima

Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Hateboer, Ostigard, Faye, Seidu, Truffert; Kamara, Matusiwa; Blas, Kalimuendo, Gronbaek

We say: Brest 1-1 Rennes

Rennes have lost all three away games so far this season, and Brest have won four in a row at home in all competitions, meaning the hosts will be favourites, but it should not be all doom and gloom for the visitors.

Brest have a huge game against Leverkusen in midweek, and Rennes have scored in all seven games so far, so there are positives for them to cling onto, plus it is never wise to look at the form table when predicting the outcome of a derby.


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