Brest's direct play through Ajorque makes the second ball central to this match. Nice bring width and forward runs that can reach the spaces left when Brest move up to support him. The balance looks closer than Brest's recent emphatic win and Nice's away results suggest.
Ajorque's layoffs, Doumbia's movement and repeated deliveries give Brest several ways into the box. Nice's expected three central defenders provide cover around the first contest, while Boudaoui and Hein offer receivers for the next pass. Clauss finding Wahi at Lyon showed the attacking connection that matters here.
Brest's draw at Lille required five Selvik saves and involved sustained pressure after the interval. Nice also reached dangerous finishing positions at Lyon, so the away attack has more substance than its recent results alone convey.
Chardonnet remains absent from Brest's defence, continuing the arrangement already used in recent matches. Nice's established absentees were also missing at Lyon, where Sanson returned for a short appearance. He adds a possible later connection; the main attacking route already exists through Clauss, the midfield receivers and Wahi's movement.
I expect Brest to seek Ajorque early and Nice to grow into the spaces around the home fullbacks as play develops. That receiving-and-running route is why I'm siding with Nice, with a level finish kept onside.
