Brest begin their first ever UEFA Champions League campaign with a home clash against Sturm Graz. The French side have not been at their best this season and their Austrian visitors will be confident of avoiding defeat on Thursday.
Brest were one of the surprise teams in Ligue 1 last season as they stunned everyone to secure Champions League qualification. However they appear to be struggling to replicate that form having picked up just one win from their five matches.
The major problem for Brest is a lack of discipline at the back, with a 5-1 defeat to Marseille among their results this season. Eric Roy’s men also head into Thursday’s clash off the back of a 3-1 defeat to PSG in a Ligue 1 fixture last weekend.
While Brest are struggling to find their rhythm, Sturm Graz have looked solid this season. They are currently setting the pace in the Austrian Bundesliga and have won their last four matches.
The goals have flowed freely for Sturm Graz, who boast multiple attacking threats. Christian Ilzer's men were rampant last weekend as they claimed a 4-1 victory over WSG Tirol SV in a domestic fixture.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Brest
Brest have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 5/6 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Sturm Graz is valued at 100/30 while Betfred is offering odds of 13/5 for a draw.
Head to head: First ever meeting
There are no previous matches between Brest and Sturm Graz.
Players to watch: Biereth to shine
Mika Biereth has started the season well for Sturm Graz, scoring three goals in five appearances. The forward will be the one to watch on Thursday and is priced at 3/1 by Betfred.
Ludovic Ajorque often carries much of the attacking threat for Brest and could be worth keeping an eye on. The attacker is priced at odds of 2/1 by Betfred to get on the score sheet on Thursday.
Probable line-ups
Ajorque should continue in attack for Brest on Thursday with Abdallah Sima and Romain Del Castillo providing support. Edmilson Fernandes should feature in midfield while Brendan Chardonnet is set to start at the back.
Amady Camara and Gregory Wuthrich are likely to earn starts in France after coming off the bench on Saturday. Mika Biereth should continue in attack while Emanuel Aiwu is set to line up at the back.
Brest: Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Haidar, Camara, Fernandes, Magnetti, Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima
Sturm Graz: Scherpen, Wuthrich, Aiwu, Lavalee, Gazibegovic, Horvat, Stankovic, Kiteishvili, Zvonarek, Camara, Biereth
Anything else catch the eye?
There were over 3.5 goals in Sturm Graz’s previous fixture and a repeat is priced at 9/4 with Betfred. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 10/11 while both teams could be backed to score at 4/5 with Betfred.
Sturm Graz saw more goals after the break in their previous fixture and a similar pattern is priced at 11/10 with Betfred. The Austrians are expected to avoid defeat on Thursday and could be backed in the double chance market at 19/20 Betfred.
This UEFA Champions League match between Brest and Sturm Graz will be played on Sep 19, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brest vs Sturm Graz prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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