Brest and Auxerre will look to get back on track in their first outing of 2026 at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Sunday evening.
Both teams lost their final two matches of 2025, most recently in the Coupe de France to Avranches and Monaco.
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Brest vs Auxerre prediction: Goals galore as leaky defences collide
Key stats
- Auxerre have just one win in 12 matches across all competitions.
- A major contributor to Auxerre's difficulties has been conceding the first goal—they have let in the opener 10 times in this run.
- Meanwhile, Brest are determined to avoid a third straight defeat for the first time since September as they return home this weekend.
- Both teams have scored in four of the last five matches for each side.
Correct score prediction: Brest 3-2 Auxerre
Given how defensively porous this weekend's opponents have been this term, another high-scoring affair is on the cards off the back of seven goals across both of last season's meetings.
That said, Brest have the slight edge as they take to the field in front of their fans, and we can see them emerging victorious.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Auxerre up against it
- HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Brest were on a three-match winning run in the league before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Rennes in their final Ligue 1 involvement of last year.
Eric Roy's men have picked up seven points from the last nine available at home and are fancied to see off their visitors this weekend with a 52.4% win probability.
On the other hand, Auxerre will head to Brest in search of a first away win of the season after managing just two points from a possible 21.
A 25% win probability hints that Christophe Peelissier's men are unlikely to end their barren run on the road.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Brest well and truly on top
Despite managing just on point from a possible six in the 2024-25 campaign, Brest have had the upper hand in this fixture with only one defeat in the last eight editions.
France Ligue 1 14/02/25
Brest
Auxerre
France Ligue 1 27/09/24
Auxerre
Brest
France Ligue 1 14/05/23
Brest
Auxerre
France Ligue 1 02/10/22
Auxerre
Brest
Brest preview: Julien Le Cardinal ineligible through suspension
After receiving his marching orders 20 minutes into Brest's Coupe de France exit, Le Cardinal will not play any part on Sunday as he serves a ban.
Also missing for the hosts are Kamory Doumbia and Junior Dina Ebimbe, who are at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted lineup: Coudert (GK), Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Guindo, Chotard, Magnetti, Del Castillo, Lascary, Mboup & Ajorque
Brest's last five matches:
- Avranches 1-1 (5-3 on pens.) Brest (Coupe de France)
- Rennes 3-1 Brest (Ligue 1)
- Brest 1-0 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Strasbourg 1-2 Brest (Ligue 1)
- Brest 3-2 Metz (Ligue 1)
Auxerre preview: Who will step up in Lassine Sinayoko's absence?
With six goals to his name so far, Sinayoko is Auxerre's leading goalscorer, but will not feature this weekend, given his AFCON involvement with Mali.
This leaves the away side in need of alternative sources of attacking inspiration as they seek to move out of the relegation zone.
Predicted lineup: Leon (GK), Mensah, Akpa, Diomande, Sy, Diousse, Danois, Matondo, Osman, Mara & Casimir
Auxerre's last five matches:
- Auxerre 1-2 Monaco (Coupe de France)
- Auxerre 3-4 Lille (Ligue 1)
- Auxerre 3-1 Metz (Ligue 1)
- Paris FC 1-1 Auxerre (Ligue 1)
- Auxerre 0-0 Lyon (Ligue 1)
Player to watch – Romain Del Castillo
Racking up six league goals so far, Del Castillo has already matched his goal tally from the last campaign in 11 fewer appearances.
The French forward assisted his side's only goal in their embarrassing cup defeat last time out and was perhaps the only player who could come away with his head held up high.
Del Castillo's six big chances created are the most of any Brest player so far, highlighting his importance in multiple attacking facets.