Brest vs Lorient prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-10-08 13:00.
Whilst fans of Brest would perhaps have expected their side to struggle this season after three straight defeats to round off their last league campaign, six points and 19 goals conceded after nine fixtures nonetheless represents a concerning start to their fourth-successive Ligue 1 season. Following a frustrating 1-1 away draw against newcomers Auxerre last weekend, the bookmakers would echo those sentiments, ranking Brest among the favourites for the drop.
Coach Michel Der Zakarian lamented his players “lack of lucidity” in the aftermath of that Auxerre stalemate, after his team played almost 40 minutes with a man advantage, yet still managed to concede an 86th-minute equaliser from the spot. A home game is unlikely to provide much comfort for Brest either given they have won just two of their previous 11 top-flight outings at Francis-Le Blé Stadium (D3, L6), a record that includes a 1-0 loss at the hands of Lorient last season.
The arrival of coach Régis Le Bris this summer has worked wonders so far for Lorient, who sit third in Ligue 1 after nine rounds and are currently enjoying their best-ever start to a new top-flight campaign (W7, D1, L1). The Brittany-born coach stated after their 2-1 home win against Lille last time out that his players “reached another level” after snatching victory in the 87th minute despite being reduced to ten men.
Le Bris will be determined to continue their fine run with a win here, as he could now be remembered as the first Lorient coach to win six successive top-flight games in the club's history! A solid start could be the route to achieving that feat, as Lorient have won all four top-flight fixtures in which they’ve led at half-time, although the suspension of in-form Dango Ouattara (G4, A4) perhaps dents their chances a little.
Players to watch: Brest will hope Pierre Lees-Melou can find the net given their two home points this season both came in matches he scored (D2). Expect a fast start from Lorient’s Terem Moffi who has scored before half-time in his previous six goalscoring matches.
Hot streak: There’s been a red card shown in the previous three Ligue 1 H2Hs.