Predictions Ligue 1 - Auxerre vs Stade Brestois

Ligue 1 - Auxerre vs Stade Brestois
Match Time: 28-09-2024 00:00 Saturday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Auxerre earned promotion back into Ligue 1 for the first time since 2011-12 when they won the playoffs in 2021-22, but AJA failed to keep their place in the top flight as they were relegated straight back down.

They did manage to earn promotion back into the top division in their first attempt as they placed top of Ligue 2 in 2023-24, finishing on 74 points from 38 matches, six points clear of second-placed Angers.

AJA kickstarted their return to Ligue 1 with a phenomenal 2-1 win against Nice, courtesy of a 95th-minute winner from Lasso Coulibaly, but they have since lost the following four games.

Despite a 3-2 defeat to Montpellier in their last outing, Christophe Pelissier, who has been in charge since October 2022, would have been boosted by his team's performance as they went toe-to-toe with an established top-division side, and he will be looking to build upon that showing in this one.

Friday's matchup with Brest could provide a brilliant opportunity for Auxerre to pick up much-needed points, with their visitors also facing difficulties at the beginning of this campaign.

After making an impressive leap from 14th place in 2022-23 to a third-placed finish last season, Brest have so far struggled to replicate that success this term.

Eric Roy's men suffered a devastating 5-1 defeat to Marseille on the opening day, followed by losses to Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, sandwiched around a promising 4-0 victory against Saint-Etienne.

Brest's first-ever match in European competition has seemingly boosted morale within the camp, as they secured a historic 2-1 victory in the Champions League against SK Sturm Graz, and they have since beaten Toulouse 2-0, marking their first consecutive victories of the season.

Although they secured a 2-0 win against Toulouse in their last match, Roy is likely to be concerned about his team's performance, as they were outclassed, generating only 0.46 expected goals (xG) compared to their opponents' 2.73 xG, and he will be hoping for a stronger display this time out.

Prediction:  Auxerre 1-2 Brest