It has been several weeks since the halfway point of the season, yet Stade Brestois are still in the driving seat. The Breton club have never spent a day outside the top half of the table this season, and enter a vital clash against OGC Nice off the back of an impressive 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes.

Les Pirates have 35 points after 19 games this season. They have never reached 30 at this stage of the season in their previous 17 appearances in the top flight. Éric Roy’s side could be on for a historic finish and bring European football to the port city for the first time ever. It would be an even more astounding feat given that Brest’s best finish in Ligue 1 was an 8th place in the 1986-1987 season. “Éric Roy has changed Stade Brestois,” said veteran player Hugo Magnetti about Brest’s uplift in form. “We weren't prepared for it , but we're keeping our feet on the ground. We're not overtaken by events, and that's what's enabled us to get consistent results.”

Brest are ‘revelation of the season’ according to Nice manager Farioli

Meanwhile Francesco Farioli’s Nice side have been leading Ligue 1’s chasing pack, and face the side directly below them in the table. "They're the revelation of the season. What they're doing goes beyond all expectations," said the Italian coach of his opponents."I was at the Parc des Princes  for their match against PSG. When you see their aggression, their desire and the will with which they came back into the game, it's enormous. You really have to congratulate the coach and the players."

Les Aiglons have been a much-improved side this season, sitting 2nd place and only six points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The match against Brest is vital in order for the team from the French Riviera to realise their Champions League ambitions. 

Brest vs Nice probable lineups:

Brest: Bizot - Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko - Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti - Del Castillo, Mounié, Le Douaron

Nice: Bulka - Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard - Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram - Laborde, Guessand, Cho