Bayer Leverkusen promises to be an intriguing encounter, as both teams have demonstrated commendable performances in the group stage thus far. Both clubs have secured victories in their initial two matches, positioning themselves favorably within their respective leagues—Brest is currently placed 11th in Ligue 1, while Leverkusen sits third in the Bundesliga. This matchup marks the first meeting between these teams, adding an element of unpredictability to the contest.
Brest have made a remarkable entrance into Europe's premier competition. They opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sturm Graz, followed by an impressive 4-0 demolition of RB Salzburg on Austrian soil. These performances have certainly turned heads and established Brest as a formidable contender in this season's tournament.
Watch here
On the domestic front, Eric Roy’s squad has experienced a mixed bag of results in Ligue 1. Currently positioned 11th in the league standings, they come off a recent 1-1 draw against Rennes, reflecting their inconsistent form at home.
Brest – Bayer: Predicted Lineups
Brest will be without Loko due to injury, while the participation of Sima and Le Cardinal remains uncertain. Wirtz missed the international matches but has since recovered during the international break. Boniface's involvement is questionable following a car accident. However, the visitors have no major injury concerns.
Brest – Bayer: Author's Prediction
I expect Brest to perform better against Bayer than Feyenoord did at home, but I believe the Leverkusen team will manage to secure another three points here. A total exceeding 2.5 goals seems likely. While Alonso's side hasn't conceded in the Champions League yet, 13 goals conceded over 7 Bundesliga matches suggest that the hosts will have their chances to find the back of the net.
Leverkusen’s vulnerability at the back could see Brest grab a goal, particularly given that Abdallah Sima has been in prolific form when fit, scoring three times in their opening two Champions League games. But the German champions have too much quality for Brest to handle, and with Wirtz and Boniface likely to lead the charge, Leverkusen should have enough to put three past a leaky Brest defence.
The Pirates will try to hold firm, especially in front of a passionate home crowd, but in the end, their resistance should break. Leverkusen’s attacking pressure, combined with their high possession statistics (averaging nearly 60% in the Bundesliga), will likely prove too much for the French side, who may find themselves chasing shadows for large parts of the match.
Read more
Sturm Graz vs. Sporting Lisbon - prediction, live stram, lineups Watch match: Girona vs Slovan Bratislava: Preview, predictions and lineupsSarah H
Also on site :