Lens — Brest : Match Preview and Prediction for August 29,2025

Lens’ Rocky Start and Coaching Change

The Blood-and-Gold squad struggled to come to terms with their absence from European competitions this season, leading to the dismissal of ‘nerd-coach’ Will Still after their 8th-place finish last season. The team is now under the guidance of former Lyon coach Pierre Sage. In their Ligue 1 opener, Lens suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Lyon in a tightly contested match, where their finishing was notably poor, failing to capitalize on crucial opportunities.

First Victory on the Road

Fortunately, they managed to bounce back with a 2-1 victory against Le Havre away from home. The scoreline was established in the first half, with Saïd and Fofana finding the net for the visitors.

Tactical Adjustments and Home Ambitions

Overall, Lens’ primary objective in that match was to withstand their opponent’s pressure in the first half (Le Havre generated 1.72 xG), though they still conceded. However, the visitors made intelligent tactical adjustments, preventing Le Havre from creating any significant threats in the second half. Now, Sage’s team is eager to secure their first home victory of the season in the league. For the match against Brest, Chávez will be unavailable for the hosts, while Sotriano’s participation remains doubtful.

Brest’s European Journey and League Challenges

Brest competed in the Champions League last season, even reaching the knockout stage, where they were decisively eliminated by eventual winners PSG in the round of 16. Nevertheless, it was understandably difficult for them to replicate their previous season’s Ligue 1 success, especially given their lack of experience with a demanding fixture schedule.

Rocky League Start and Squad Availability

Consequently, the visitors secured a respectable 9th place, though they did not qualify for any European competitions. Éric Roy’s squad underwent no significant changes during the off-season, yet they have started the league campaign sluggishly, much like a year ago. They narrowly escaped with a 3-3 home draw against Lille, constantly coming from behind, before suffering their first defeat of the season, a 0-2 loss to Toulouse. Roy’s team visibly faltered after halftime, conceding both goals in the second period. For the upcoming match against Lens, all players are fit and available for the visitors.