Lille vs Brest prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-12-05 18:00.
[p]Lille have developed a nasty habit of conceding late goals, and it could end up costing them in the race for a UEFA Champions League qualification place. The Mastiffs are still clinging on to a place in Ligue 1’s top four heading into the weekend, but they would have been second in the table had they not drawn three of their last four league games due to conceding three equalisers after the 90th minute (W1).[/p]
[p]The most recent of those fixtures was a 2-2 draw with Montpellier last Sunday, after which manager Bruno Génésio admitted that his team “must grow mentally”. The form book suggests that Lille do not need to improve too much to become a real force to be reckoned with though, as they are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions (W7, D6).[/p]
[p]That record will be put to the test against Brest, who will be tough opponents despite having won just three out of 15 H2Hs this century (D4, L8). The visitors arrive at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on the back of a confidence-boosting win last time out, ending a run of three successive league and cup defeats by beating Strasbourg 3-1 at home.[/p]
[p]Brest manager Éric Roy admitted that result gave him great “satisfaction”, but his side now desperately need to build on that performance, given that they enter this round of fixtures just four points above the bottom three. History suggests that another success here is unlikely though, as the Pirates have not earned back-to-back league wins since April, while Roy himself has never won a managerial clash against Lille (D3, L4).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier might enjoy the prospect of facing Brest, against whom he has never lost in four H2Hs, registering a pair of clean sheets in the process (W2, D2). Attempting to find a way past him is likely to be visiting forward Ludovic Ajorque, who has seen seven of his last nine goals serve as the first or last of the match.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lille are the only team in Ligue 1 yet to have conceded a home goal in the opening 15 minutes of the first or second half this season. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]