Brest – Nice: preview
We describe the forecasts for the match between Brest and Nice within the framework of the eighth round of Ligue 1 2026/27.
In the first match of the eighth round, two midfielders from Ligue 1 face each other: one has maintained his form under difficult conditions, the other is trying to find a new one.
Key points
Brest
1. "Brest" keeps the attack after the death of Rúa
After the passing of the main architect of the Pirates’ success in recent years, Eric Rúa, the club decided to appoint his successor: former assistant Julien Lachaure. "Brest" maintains the level achieved under the previous coach. At the start of the season, the Bretons are in the middle of the table, showing intense, attack‑oriented football characteristic of Rúa’s team. In the last round, Brest stole points from league leaders Lille on the road (1:1), and before that, the Pirates demolished Angers (5:1). Failures do occur, such as the loss to Osera (1:2), but that is typical of any midfield, especially in away matches.
2. Dembi is in excellent form, Brest has central‑defender squad problems
One of the reasons for the Pirates’ steady performance this season is Kamori Dembi’s good form. The young player scored four goals and provided two assists at the start of the league, defining the team’s attacking output. Luis Ajorc and Mamá Balde also maintain the level. In defence, Brest faces squad issues, explaining the instability in their performances. Captain Brendan Shardonne has not played a match this season, and the most promising defender, Rafael Le Gen, has recently been injured. The central‑defender role is covered by the full‑back Luka Tusar.
3. Brest has not scored this season only against PSG
The Pirates have a strong attack: besides the goal‑scoring indicators of Dembi, Ajorc and Balde, four players have recorded two assists in the league. In the current season, Brest has scored more goals than Lille and Monaco, and only one fewer than PSG. Only at the Parisian gate has the team failed to score in seven matches: the game ended 1:0 in favour of the capital club. Against second‑half table rivals, Brest usually scores two goals. The only exception was the match against Osera in Bordeaux.
Nice
1. "Nice" is looking for its game
The ambitious southern club, after a difficult season that almost ended in relegation to Ligue 2, appointed Olivier Pantoloni as head coach, creator of Lorient’s promotion to the middle of the table. The Corsican is just beginning to build the squad, and its results are not impressive: Nice is in thirteenth place. After a tough start, they secured home victories against tough rivals Lille and Strasbourg with the same score 2:1. The team does not impress in attack, scoring only six goals in seven league matches. At the start of the season, with controlled matches, Nice had a series of three consecutive 0:0 draws.
2. Nice also has central‑defender squad problems
The "Orelatas" cannot count on two central defenders. Senegalese Antoine Mendy broke the cross‑connection at the start of the season and was an important player for Pantoloni in the 3-4-3 formation thanks to his ability to play both in the centre and on the defensive flank. Canadian Moiz Bombito has been in the reserve since last season. Also in the reserves is the midfielder who arrived from Lorient and carries the coaches’ vision, Laurent Abarjel. Pantoloni builds the game with a focus on defence and counter‑attacks, and in off‑the‑ball play the team already stands out: Nice has conceded only nine goals, at the level of PSG.
3. Nice lost all away matches this season
Nice at home and away: two different teams. At home, the Orelatas beat two European‑competition candidates and drew with the brilliant debutant Le Mans. Away, things go much worse. The team with no chances lost to Paris (0:3), lost to modest Osera (0:1) and finally scored its first home goal of the season in the match against Lyon (1:2). Before the game against Brest, always highlighted for its quality performances on its own ground, these results of the Orelatas generate scepticism.
Approximate formations
4-2-3-1 3-4-1-2 1-1 1-1
Betting on the trend
Nice won six of the last eleven head‑to‑head matches. P2 — 3.25. In seven of the last nine head‑to‑head matches, at least one team did not score. OZ — no 2.35.
Forecast
Brest vs Nice 23.10.2026 22:45
"Brest" keeps the attack after the death of head coach Eric Rúa: his former assistant Julien Lachaure keeps the team in the middle of the table. The leader of the average defence, Kamori Dembi, is in excellent form, already with six points in the goal+assist system. Brest has squad problems in defence, so the supporting midfielder Luka Tusar must play in central defence. The Pirates have not scored this season only against PSG. Nice is looking for its game: the team had a bad start, but then secured two home victories against Lille and Strasbourg, and away again lost. The team differs greatly in quality of play at home and away: away, the Orelatas scored only one goal and earned no points. Nice also has problems in defence, with the coaches’ guest midfielder Laurent Abarjel injured. Considering the home‑ground factor, a difficult Brest win is suggested.
Forecast: 2-1
