Two teams sitting in the Ligue 1 relegation zone will do battle at the Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday as Brest play host to Strasbourg.

While the Pirates are hoping to avoid a third successive league defeat, the visitors are still seeking to claim their first victory of the new campaign.

Match preview

Brest were hoping that a point claimed against Marseille and a 3-1 victory away at Angers would begin a positive run of form in Ligue 1.

However, the Pirates have since suffered back-to-back defeats and conceded 10 goals in the process, with a heavy 7-0 loss at home to Montpellier last weekend followed by a 3-1 defeat away against Rennes on Wednesday.

Michel Der Zakarian is now tasked with boosting morale within the squad and ensuring that his side bounce back quickly, although fixtures against Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain could prove challenging.

Brest finished 11th last season to secure their highest top-flight finish for over 30 years, but they now find themselves sitting in the relegation zone with the worst goal difference in the division.

The Pirates have failed to win any of their last four meetings with Strasbourg and suffered defeat in both encounters against them last season, including a 1-0 home loss in May.

Strasbourg, meanwhile, are one of three Ligue 1 teams who are yet to claim maximum points this season and currently sit one place and one point behind Sunday's opponents Brest.

The Racers have drawn three of their last four matches by a 1-1 scoreline, including Wednesday's clash at home to Nantes which saw an 85th-minute equaliser from Mostafa Mohamed cancel out Habib Diallo's first-half opener.

Strasbourg also made a slow start in the top flight last season, picking up only a point more at this stage 12 months ago before ending the campaign in sixth place and just three points behind the European positions, so Julian Stephan will not be too worried about his side's start.

One concern, however, is their recent away form in Ligue 1 as they have only won one of their last nine league matches on the road, the aforementioned 1-0 win at Brest at the end of last season.

Strasbourg, who have scored in four of their opening five games so far this term, have had plenty of joy in front of goal when facing Brest over the years, as they have scored in 12 of their last 13 meetings against them, so they will be hoping for more success in the final third on Sunday.

Team News

Brest will remain without quartet Steve Mounie (heel), Noah Fadiga (ankle), Jeremy Le Douaron (groin) and Romain Del Castillo (hamstring) due to injury, although the latter is closing in on a return.

A back four of Jean-Kevin Duverne, Brendan Chardonnet, Achraf Dari and Lilian Brassier has started every game so far this season, and they are all set to retain their places this weekend, shielding goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

Former Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele could return to the first XI ahead of either Youcef Belaili or Mathias Pereira Lage, but the rest of the side is expected to stay the same.

As for Strasbourg, Maxime Le Marchand (head), Lucas Perrin (hamstring), Gerzino Nyamsi (hip), Karol Fila (groin), Ibrahima Sissoko (ankle) and Nordine Kandil (muscle) are all ruled out with injuries.

Experienced striker Kevin Gameiro could make his 250th Ligue 1 appearance, with either Habib Diallo or Ludovic Ajorque partnering him in attack.

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Duverne, Dari, Chardonnet, Brassier; Magnetti, Belkebla; Dembele Honorat, Belaili; Slimani

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Sels; Pierre-Gabriel, Doukoure, Djiku; Delaine, Prcic, Bellegarde, Thomasson, Lienard; Diallo, Gameiro

We say: Brest 1-2 Strasbourg

Both teams are out of form and have struggled defensively so far this term, although they have looked a threat going forward as they have both scored in four of their opening five league games.

We fancy both teams to score on Sunday but the visitors may just edge it to climb above their opponents and out of the relegation zone.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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