Lille play host to Brest on Friday evening looking to bounce back from last weekend’s deflating 4-3 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

At a time when the home side occupy sixth place in the Ligue 1 standings, Brest are 16th and one point above the relegation zone.

With nine points separating Lille from a UEFA Champions League spot going into the new week, three points here against endangered Brest are an absolute must. Their rollercoaster 4-3 defeat to PSG on Sunday saw them drop points from a winning position for the first time since January 2, but coach Paulo Fonseca held back on criticism, instead summing up the difference between his men and the champions in just three words: “Messi and Mbappé”.

But that deadly duo are now just a memory, and with those World Cup finalists having bagged more league goals combined than Brest’s entire squad, Lille look like assured favourites here. Unbeaten in 2023 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy (W4, D2), Lille might even be expected to make it five wins this year at home by a 2+ goal margin after a half-time lead, although they’ve struggled against Brest recently, failing to win any of the last five meetings (D3, L2).

If Brest can extend that recent record against Lille to a winning extent, they could expand on their current one-point gap from the bottom-four. But visiting fans will still fear the worst, given that their side’s meagre two wins in Ligue 1 since the start of November (D4, L5) have only come against opposition starting the week inside the drop zone.

While Lille’s first campaign under Paulo Fonseca has been somewhat of a mixed bag, they have shown signs throughout that they are capable of beating any team in France’s top flight.

That potential was again on show at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, Lille remarkably coming from two goals adrift to lead Paris Saint-Germain by a 3-2 scoreline with three minutes remaining.

However, Kylian Mbappe and a Lionel Messi free kick deep into stoppage time dramatically swung the game back in PSG’s favour, leaving Lille to consider what could have been.

Worse still, it’s just one win in ten Ligue 1 road trips for Brest ahead of kick-off (D3, L6), so it seems likely that November 1989 will remain the only time they’ve won competitively at Lille. A good start may start to sway negative opinions though, given that both of Brest’s prior away league victories this term saw them open the scoring inside 15 minutes.

Players to watch: Jonathan David has netted from the spot in Lille’s last three games overall, including a decisive opener in their last home match. Looking to get a third career goal against Lille, Steve Mounié still accounts for Brest’s only away league goal of 2023. Both of his prior H2H goals have come after the 80th minute.

Hot streak: Brest have lost all six away league games to see them concede first this term.

Lille Ligue 1 form:

WLDWWL

Lille form (all competitions):

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Brest Ligue 1 form:

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Brest form (all competitions):

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Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Gudmundsson, Yoro, Djalo, Weah; Andre, And. Gomes; Bamba, Ang. Gomes, Cabella; David

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Dari, Brassier, Duverne; Elis, Camara, Lees-Melou, Belkebla, Castillo; Douaron

Given the level of disappointment last weekend, it remains to be seen how Lille will react to having gone so close to causing the upset in Paris. Nevertheless, boasting a strong home record in comparison to Brest’s poor efforts on the road, this should prove to be a comfortable evening for Fonseca’s side.