The Matchday 8 encounter of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Brest (France) and Real Madrid (Spain) is scheduled for January 29 at the Stade du Roudourou in Guingamp. Brest vs. Real Madrid: prediction and statistics.
Brest
The French side suffered a 0-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the last round. Nevertheless, the club has managed to qualify for the Champions League playoffs. Eric Roy's team is currently in 13th place, with the same number of points as Bayer, who occupy the eighth position (13 points). To advance directly to the round of 16, Brest needs to significantly improve their goal difference, which means they must defeat Madrid by a large margin and hope for slip-ups from their competitors.
Midfielder Jonas Martin and defenders Jordan Amavi, Massadio Haidara, and Bradley Locko are sidelined due to injuries.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Brest's last 7 Champions League games.
- The club has not lost at home in this tournament (2 wins and 1 draw).
- The French side has not won the second half in their last five matches in this European competition (4 draws and 1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Brest (4-4-2)
Marco Bizot – Edimilson Fernandes, Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Brendan Chardonnet, Kenny Lala – Mathias Pereira Lage, Mahdi Camara, Kamory Doumbia, Hugo Magnetti – Abdallah Sima, Ludovic Ajorque.
Real Madrid
The Spanish team won their last two Champions League group stage matches. First, Madrid defeated Atalanta away (3-2), and then they thrashed Salzburg at home (5-1). Carlo Ancelotti's side has secured a spot in the tournament's playoffs. The team is in 16th place with 12 points and has a slim chance of finishing in the top 8 of the group stage.
Forward Vinicius Junior will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and defenders Jesus Vallejo, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao are out due to injuries.
- Both teams have scored in regular time in 10 of Real's last 13 matches in this tournament.
- Madrid has not lost in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 9 away Champions League matches (5 wins and 2 draws).
- At least two goals have been scored in the second half in 8 of Real's last 10 matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Thibaut Courtois – Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger – Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos – Endrick Felipe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes – Kylian Mbappe.
Referee
Espen Eskås (Norway)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 14%.
Brest vs. Real Madrid: Match Prediction
The French side can be considered fortunate in this season's Champions League. The team benefited from a favorable schedule in the group stage, facing only two strong opponents, Barcelona (0-3) and Bayer (1-1), in seven matches. In other games, they played against teams from weaker leagues, which Brest capitalized on. In my opinion, the club's high position in the standings is somewhat accidental, as demonstrated in the last round when they were comprehensively beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Brest is currently mid-table in their domestic league. It is unlikely that the team will replicate last season's success. Meanwhile, Madrid is in good form, having suffered only one defeat in their last 12 official matches. I believe the Spanish side will comfortably handle the hosts in the upcoming match, especially as they have a slim chance of qualifying directly for the Champions League round of 16.
My prediction – Real Madrid with a handicap (-1)
