Brest vs Auxerre Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Brest and Auxerre, two struggling teams in Ligue 1, are only separated by a single point in the standings and are now just outside the relegation zone before their vital relegation six-pointer on Sunday. With only four games left, Brest has a three-point lead over Auxerre, who head to the Stade Francis-Le Ble with a two-point cushion from the bottom four.

Right now, neither team is exempt from being demoted. Auxerre is one position below them and only two points over the red line, while Brest is in 15th place and only three points above the drop zone.

This game might prove to be a turning moment in their battle for survival because both clubs are desperate for points and neither team won last weekend.

Four losses in five games in February and March gave Brest the impression that they were doomed to the bottom, but a following six-game undefeated streak offered the Pirates a much-needed reprieve.

Roy's team may be quite confident after their recent performances, despite Brest's winning run being broken by a loss to Lorient last weekend. Recent results at home include three straight wins for Brest over Toulouse, Nice, and Nantes as well as back-to-back clean sheets in their last two games. Brest has been particularly effective at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Even better, the Pirates have only lost twice in their last eight home league contests, winning four and drawing two; they have also scored in each of their previous seven games.

Since being promoted to Ligue 1 in 2019, Brest has frequently flirted with relegation, finishing 14th and 17th before climbing to 11th last season, but they know what it takes to avoid the drop.

Noah Fadiga is projected to miss the rest of the season due to an injury, while Alberth Elis is also anticipated to miss the match on Sunday. On a more positive note, Franck Honorat, a crucial forward who has six goals and six assists for the season, returned from injury as he came off the bench the previous time out.

Brest possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Bizot 

Defenders: Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Duverne

Midfielders: Less-Melou; Lemarechal, Belkebla, Magnetti, Le Douaron

Striker; Mounie

Before things got better for Auxerre in the second half of the season, Jean-Marc Furlan was the team's coach at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps. Christophe Pelissier took over for him and helped turn the team's fortunes around.

The Burgundy team was second from the bottom of the table after suffering seven consecutive losses between November and January, but Pelissier's team has made significant progress since then.

In fact, Auxerre has won three times and lost once in their previous six games, losing only two of their past 13 league games while compiling a record of five wins, six draws, and two losses.

Auxerre has only picked up two points from their past three games, but they did manage to draw games with European contenders Lille and in-form Clermont and lose by a slim margin against Champions League-bound Marseille.

It's important to keep in mind that Auxerre was promoted from Ligue 2 last season after winning the playoff series. As such, Pelissier's team has reason to be happy with their recent performance because they still have control over their own fate.

However, due to an Achilles tendon problem, Auxerre midfielder Elisha Owusu will be out for the remainder of the season, while youngster Kays Ruiz-Atil is also still out. Nuno Da Costa will continue to aid M'Baye Niang in attack after accumulating six goals and five assists this season, while Gauthier Hein is anticipated to join the forward line.

In front of Romanian goalkeeper Ionut Radu, at the other end of the field, Rayan Raveloson, Jubal, and Isaak Toure will play center defense.

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Radu

Defenders: Raveloson, Jubal, Toure

Midfielders: Zedadka, Massengo, Toure, Mensah, Hein, Da Costa

Striker: Niang

Both teams are fervently seeking to score, and they have also been playing well lately. But a draw may be advantageous for both clubs because the teams behind them are having trouble gaining ground.

Brest is perhaps the side with the best chance of winning, if any. The hosts' defense ought likely to be able to hold up against Auxerre's rather feeble assault, but they aren't exactly a high-scoring team on their own. Expect this game to have a balanced distribution of honors overall.

The best option to bet on will be under 2.5 goals.