Stade Brest vs Olympique Marseille Prediction: De Zerbi needs a statement performance

Stade Brest hosts Olympique Marseille in the opening round of the Ligue 1 2024/25 season, at the Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest. These two clubs will be fighting for the first three points of the season, as they both prepare for the long season. The last time these two faced each other at the Stade Francis-Le Ble, Stade Brest secured a hard fought 1-0 win courtesy of Pierre Lees Melou’s late goal. Olympique Marseille will hope to get a win on this ground, after failing to win there in their last 2 visits.

Stade Brest begin their 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign at Stade Francis-Le Blé, against Olympique Marseille. They struggled during the preseason campaign, winning only 1 of the 6 matches they played in. They lost 3 and drew 2 games also in that period and the fans will hope the team is better prepared for the opening match against Olympique Marseille.

Stade Brest secured the Champions League spot at the end of the 2023/24 season as they ended the season in 3rd spot with 61 points. Their overall record last season was: 17 wins, 10 draws and 7 defeats while they managed 19 goals.

All headway at Brest would still be led by Éric Roy, assuming the role just this last October 2022. His approach has been to find defensive solidity, allowing the team to remain fluid in counter-attacking, which kept them in Ligue 1 last season. As captain, Chardonnet will once again be expected to help organize and make the backline solid. Possibly, Romain Del Castillo's creativity, along with set-piece expertise, can be a playmaker in the side. The Bretons are likely to hold a flat 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation focusing on the break and rigid defending. Roy also may opt to pack the midfield a bit more to become more compact and avoid the stronger top bagging sides in Ligue 1.

Olympique Marseille will be playing away from home on the opening day of the Ligue 1 season. They will be hosted by Stade Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Blé and they aim to get the crucial 3 points to kick start their season. They had not won at the Stade Francis-Le Ble in their last 2 trips, it would be interesting to see how they approach this game to get a different result.

Olympique Marseille were disappointed at the end of the 2023/24 season after missing out on all 3 European competitions this season. They ended the season in 8th position with just 1 point behind RC Lens in 7th. Marseille’s overall record last season was: 13 wins, 11 draws and 10 defeats and a total of 50 points.

Going forward to the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season, Olympique de Marseille will be guided by Roberto De Zerbi, one of the managers now popular for his attacking football and tactical novelties. De Zerbi will likely retain his characteristic possession-based, high-intensity football that serves both ball control, high pressure, and speed in transitions. Fluidity in attack and flexibility in the system would thus be prime in importance. One of the main distinctive features of the playing style of new signing Mason Greenwood is his sharp attacking instincts, technical prowess, and versatility. He has the ability to score and create goals, coupled with intelligent positioning and movement, which makes him very important to De Zerbi in his attacking setup.

Stade Brest and Olympique Marseille played 15 matches in the past. Marseille won 8 matches, Stade Brest won 4 matches and 3 matches ended in a draw.

H2H Streaks

Both teams scored in 7/9 matches

Olympique Marseille scored first in 8/10 matches

Olympique Marseille won the first half in 6/8 matches

5/7 matches ended with less than 4.5 cards

5/7 matches ended with less than 10.5 corners

With such an approach to the game under De Zerbi's reign, where possession and high pressing are vital tactical concepts, Marseille are very likely to be the side causing regular attacks out of that possession. The most important thing is that they break rigid defenses with utmost competence and take advantage of set standards. Brest will have to be compact in defense and be effective on the front foot in order to do it. Use and make count set pieces while transitioning quickly, and you will continue to threaten Marseille.

Here, putting into context the attacking power that the Marseillaise have shown and De Zerbi's approach to games, they'll most likely be holding an edge over Stade Brest, but Brest's resilience and defensive organization could make it a closer contest.

• Olympique Marseille Win or Draw and Under 4.5 Goals at 1.7 Odds
• Olympique Marseille Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals at 1.94 Odds
• Olympique Marseille Win 2-1 at 10.00 Odds