Brest and Bayer Leverkusen are two of just seven teams to win their opening two Champions League games this season and face off in Brittany on Wednesday evening.
Ligue 1 outfit Brest have enjoyed the perfect start to their maiden Champions League voyage, with a slender victory over Sturm Graz followed up by an emphatic triumph away at RB Salzburg. Eric Roy’s side were utterly ruthless in transition as they took full advantage of Salzburg’s frailties when defending the counter-attack.
Wednesday’s hosts have made more of an inconspicuous start to the domestic season with Brest currently sitting 11th in Ligue 1 having lost half of their opening eight games. They drew 1-1 with Rennes at the weekend.
Leverkusen’s two league phase victories have come against Feyenoord at De Kuip and Milan on home soil. They thumped the Dutch side 4-0 but were made to work hard for all three points against the Rossoneri last time out.
Xabi Alonso’s side have their work cut out if they’re to retain their Bundesliga crown given the start Bayern Munich have made to the season. Leverkusen have accumulated 14 points from their opening seven games and are three adrift of joint-leaders Bayern and RB Leipzig.
Here is 90min’s guide to Brest vs Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Brest vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record
This is the first competitive fixture between Brest and Bayer Leverkusen.
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Brest vs Bayer Leverkusen on TV and live stream
Brest team news
Abdallah Sima scored twice in Brest’s 4-0 win at Salzburg but the forward missed the 1-1 draw with Rennes on Saturday due to a hamstring problem and is a doubt for Leverkusen’s visit. Sima’s absence would be a significant blow for the home side.
Left-back Massadio Haidara was serving a suspension at the weekend but Roy will be able to call upon him on Wednesday. However, the Brest boss will likely be without Julien Le Cardinal after he pulled out of Saturday’s draw in the warm-up.
Abdoulaye Ndiaye is expected to keep his place in the XI in Le Cardinal’s absence, but Bradley Locko is a long-term absentee.
Brest predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen
Brest predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Ndiaye, Haidara; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Pereira-Lage.
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Florian Wirtz sustained an ankle injury on international duty with Germany but was fit enough to appear off the bench at the weekend and should be ready to start on Wednesday evening.
Victor Boniface is a doubt having been involved in a car crash, but the Nigerian forward has avoided any serious injuries and could be involved in Brittany. Martin Terrier and Patrik Schick will be on stand-by.
Robert Andrich and summer arrival Aleix Garcia have shared the minutes alongside Granit Xhaka in Leverkusen’s midfield, but Garcia is more likely to get the nod here having impressed on Matchday 2 against Milan.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Brest (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Schick.
Not to take anything away from Brest, but they’ve hardly toppled a pair of European behemoths in their opening two games. This is a different challenge entirely.
Leverkusen were ruthless away from home on Matchday 1 and will be confident of maintaining their 100% start to the league phase on Wednesday night. Brest pose an obvious threat on the counter-attack, but Alonso has taken steps to sure up Leverkusen’s transition defence in recent weeks after a leaky opening to the season.
Leverkusen should win in Brittany against a team that could be without their Matchday 2 star.
