- Brest are winless in their last six Ligue 1 matches, struggling for a consistent run of results.
- Strasbourg have beaten Brest 7 times, lost five and drawn seven in 19 meetings in the modern era (average goals per game: 2.5 in Ligue 1).
- Brest favour set-pieces and counter-attacking over possession.
Strasbourg are on a better run
Sunday’s Ligue 1 game between Racing Club Strasbourg and Stade Brestois 29 will be a chess match between two teams that like to play two very different styles. Strasbourg play an aggressive, high-intensity game with plenty of pressing and are quite fluid in the way they structure the team, usually either in a 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 or 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 formation depending on the game plan.
The Racing Club are in the top six with 22 points from 13 games and their form in the league has been good enough to suggest they can stay in the European qualification spots. Liam Rosenior has implemented a high-pressing, possession-based style that has improved their offensive threat and they boast one of Ligue 1’s most prolific forwards, top scorer Joaquín Panichelli.
This Racing Club Strasbourg vs Stade Brestois 29 prediction is supported by Strasbourg's recent record: they have won two and lost two of their last four games with the defeats coming in a 4 - 1 drubbing at Rennes and a 1 - 0 away defeat at Lens. Racing Club Strasbourg vs Stade Brestois 29 prediction is also reflected in their wins over Lille (2 - 0) and Auxerre (3 - 0), which suggest they are in good form coming into the game, but the result will be tight against a side that are tough to beat.
Brest have been frustratingly inconsistent
Brest, on the other hand, are languishing in lower mid-table on 13 points after 13 rounds of Ligue 1. A drop off from last season is not unexpected as they were involved in the Champions League, but they have struggled to convert good possession footy into goals and are winless in their last six Ligue 1 matches.
Éric Roy has been very pragmatic at the club, setting up a compact 4 - 3 - 3 or 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 shape that gives them a platform to play from, particularly on set pieces and in transition, where they have been a threat. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot has been a solid rock at the back, but they need more from their forwards if they are going to get the three points on Sunday.
Abdallah Sima offers them pace and work-rate but makes some clever runs in transition. The Racing Club Strasbourg vs Stade Brestois 29 preview highlights that Brest are good at making chances but not so good at taking them.
Strasbourg the narrow favorites
The bookmakers are expecting a close game, as they should, but Strasbourg are the narrow home favorites at 1.92 with Brest priced up at 4.26. Both Teams to Score looks a better bet at 1.65 because there will be an open game and chances at both ends.
According to our Racing Club Strasbourg vs Stade Brestois 29 prediction, it is difficult to make a case for Brest in this game as Strasbourg are in better form in the league, have home field advantage and the visitors are struggling. A win for the Racing Club would go a long way to confirming their place in the battle for European football, whereas a win for Brest would be a huge lift for them and help them climb the lower mid-table.
Strasbourg have played well in recent home games and have more pace in Emegha, who combines well with Panichelli. But Strasbourg have been vulnerable to teams that can get at them on the break and Brest can do that.
For those interested in wagering, the Racing Club Strasbourg vs Stade Brestois 29 betting tips suggest keeping a close eye on the early-winter conditions, which could mean a cool, slightly damp playing surface to slow things down and make it a more physical game. Our preference is for a Strasbourg win or a tie.
