Troyes vs Brest prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-03-18 14:00.
Whatever can go wrong is going wrong for Troyes at the minute, with a suspended prison sentence for their club president earlier this month providing some off-field drama to match a woeful ten-game winless run of league games (D2, L8). Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Troyes sit at the wrong end of a five-team logjam in and around the relegation zone as they welcome fellow strugglers, Brest.
A Stade de l'Aube return isn’t necessarily the catalyst for a Troyes resurgence either, with as many defeats across their last five home league games (D2, L3) as in their 16 games prior here (W4, D9, L3). That’s a damning indictment of the first ever Australian manager across Europe’s top-five leagues, Patrick Kisnorbo, who recently spoke of wanting to instil a “fighting spirit” into his struggling side, something he is evidently still waiting to see.
These are similarly trying times for Brest, who sit outside of the extended drop zone by virtue of goal difference alone ahead of the round. Éric Roy’s men fought valiantly before suffering a last minute 2-1 defeat against champions elect PSG last time out, which left them with just one win since the beginning of February (W1, D2, L4) meaning they now teeter on the brink of a first top-flight relegation since 2012/13.
Even so, playing against the bottom sides in relegation six pointers is unlikely to faze Brest, who have gone unbeaten in all but one of their league games against sides starting the round below them this term (W3, D1, L1). Securing a huge three points against a relegation rival may hinge on Brest scoring more than once in an away league game for the first time in 2023 though, as each of their five top-flight encounters with Troyes have seen both sides score (BRE: W3, D1, L1).
Players to watch: Troyes captain Adil Rami assisted the opener in their recent draw with Monaco and the centre-back’s last two goals came against Brest, the only side he’s scored more than once against in Ligue 1. Coincidentally, Troyes are also Franck Honorat’s joint-favourite opponents in the French top-flight (G3), which is ideal as he seeks his first ever run of three straight scoring Ligue 1 appearances.
Hot streak: Troyes haven’t won a home league game this season against a side placed above them ahead of the round (D8, L4).