With the Champions League returning this week, here’s our Barcelona Vs Brest preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Barcelona Vs Brest Preview
Barcelona coughed up two late goals to draw 2-2 with Celta Vigo in their last league game. Despite taking just one point from their past two games, they are still top of La Liga, but Hansi Flick’s men are now just five points clear of Atletico Madrid.
Third-placed Real Madrid are now seven points adrift, but Los Blancos have two games in hand over Barca.
Since losing their opening Champions League game to Monaco, Barcelona have beaten Bayern Munich, BSC Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade.
While they will be favourites on Tuesday, their opponents are not to be underestimated.
Brest have made a superb debut in the competition, winning three and drawing one of their opening four matches.
The French outfit are one of only six unbeaten clubs left in the Champions League. They drew to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, but have beaten Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg and Sparta Prague.
Domestically, things are very different. Brest have lost their last three Ligue 1 games, and sit 12th in the table.
But it is on the European stage where they have shown their best form so far this season, and there are few bigger stages than Camp Nou.
This Tuesday, the @ChampionsLeague returns!https://t.co/aFVaGphtRX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 24, 2024
Barcelona Vs Brest Team News
While not yet definitely ruled out, Barcelona’s young superstar Lamine Yamal is unlikely to be fit folloing his recent ankle issue.
Liekwise, Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres are close to a return, but are both outside bets to feature on Tuesday.
Ronald Araujo, Ansu Fati, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are all definitely out.
Frenkie de Jong and Alejandro Balde could both be given starts if Hansi Flick looks to mix things up, but the rest of the Barca team should be quite predictable.
For Brest, they are expected to be without Massadio Haidara (muscle), Romain Faivre (ankle) and Soumaila Coulibaly (pelvis).
Pierre Lees-Melou limped off against Monaco, and will hope to be fit for Tuesday but will need a late fitness test.
Bradley Locko remains sidelines after rupturing his achilles in the summer. In better news, Ludovic Ajorque is fit and should start up front for the visitors.
Barcelona Vs Brest Predicted Lineups
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Casado; Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Brest (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Amavi; Camara, Lees-Melou, Fernandes; Balde, Ajorque, Doumbia
Barcelona Vs Brest Prediction
The visiting French outfit have performed above expectations in Europe this season. Few would have predicted their showing so far, but they are yet to face as test as stern as this.
Barcelona look to be building towards something special, and we think they will prove too good on the night. For that reason, we think there can only be one winner.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Brest
