Date: February 11, 2025
Kick-off: 17:45 (GMT)
In this all-French encounter in the Champions League play-off round, Brest will face the giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Stade Municipal de Roudourou. While PSG are the heavy favorites in this tie, Brest will be hoping for an upset, especially after a recent uptick in form in Ligue 1. However, PSG’s dominance in France and their star-studded squad suggest they will be tough to overcome.
Brest’s Current Form
Brest’s season has been challenging, but recent results have shown that they’re finding some momentum. Eric Roy’s side have won four of their last five Ligue 1 matches, including a solid 2-0 victory away at Nantes. This recent form has propelled them up to 7th place in the league, and they’ll be hoping to carry that confidence into the Champions League. However, their poor 18th-place finish in the league phase of the Champions League suggests they’ll be in for a tough challenge against the reigning French champions.
PSG’s Dominance
On the other hand, PSG continue to prove why they are one of the most feared teams in Europe. Luis Enrique’s side is currently in pole position to retain their Ligue 1 title after a 4-1 thrashing of Monaco on Friday night. They secured their place in the Champions League play-offs after winning their final three group-stage matches, including a crucial 3-1 win over Stuttgart. With players like Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Marco Verratti, PSG’s attacking firepower is likely to be too much for Brest to handle.
How the Bookies See It
PSG are overwhelming favorites to progress in this tie, with 1/14 odds to advance, according to Boylesports. For the first leg, PSG are priced at 4/11 to win, while Brest are long shots at 13/2. A draw is valued at 15/4.
Head-to-Head: PSG’s Psychological Edge
PSG have dominated recent meetings with Brest, including a 5-2 victory just under two weeks ago. The capital club also won when the two sides met earlier this season in Paris. This will give PSG a significant psychological advantage heading into the first leg.
Players to Watch
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): The French winger has been in sensational form, scoring 16 goals in his last 9 appearances. He’s a key player for PSG and is expected to be a standout threat in this match. Dembélé is priced at 13/8 on Bet365 to score anytime, and he could be a great option for your bets. Given his recent performances, he might even be worth a long-shot bet to score two or three goals at 10/1 and 50/1 respectively.
- Ludovic Ajorque (Brest): Brest’s top striker, Ludovic Ajorque, has been in excellent form, scoring in each of Brest’s last five Ligue 1 matches, including one goal against PSG earlier this season. He’s priced at 4/1 on Bet365 to score anytime, and he could be a key figure for Brest, even if the odds are against them.
Predicted Line-Ups
Brest:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinale, Zogbe; Camara, Magnetti, Faivre; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima
PSG:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Doue, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola
Other Betting Insights
- Over 2.5 Goals: PSG’s attacking prowess and Brest’s leaky defence make over 2.5 goals a strong possibility in this match. Bet365 offers odds of 4/5 for this outcome.
- PSG to Win by 3+ Goals: Given Brest’s vulnerability and PSG’s quality, it’s likely that PSG will win this comfortably. A 3+ goal victory for the Parisians is priced at 13/8 on Bet365.
- PSG to Keep a Clean Sheet: With PSG’s solid defence and Brest’s struggles in front of goal, PSG to keep a clean sheet seems like a strong option at 5/4 on Bet365.
Prediction
It’s hard to see anything other than a PSG win in this match. Brest have been in decent form recently, but PSG’s superior quality and depth should shine through. Ousmane Dembélé will likely be the standout player for PSG, and they should come out of the first leg with a comfortable win.
Final Score Prediction: Brest 0-3 PSG
Betting Tips
- PSG to win at 4/11
- Over 2.5 goals at 4/5
- PSG to win by 3+ goals at 13/8
- Ousmane Dembélé to score anytime at 13/8
- PSG to keep a clean sheet at 5/4
This UEFA Champions League match between Brest and PSG will take place on February 11, 2025, with kick-off at 17:45 (GMT). Be sure to check for the latest odds and updates before placing your bets.