Brest and Bayern Leverkusen meet for the first time in the Champions League in match week 3.
Both teams have two wins in two Champions League games thus far. While Leverkusen were expected to start off strong following their stellar season last year, Brest have taken everyone by surprise and sit second in the 36-team league.
While their opponents have been on the weaker side, Brest have played some very attractive soccer and won their last European game 4-0 against Red Bull Salzburg. They played another Austrian side in their first game and came out of their game against Sturm Graz with a narrow 2-1 win.
Bayer Leverkusen first dismantled Feyenoord 4-0 in the Dutch side's stadium, before a 1-0 win against AC Milan at home. Xabi Alonso's team has had no problem putting the ball in the back of the net, however they have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their eight games this season.
Let's take a look at my Brest vs Bayer Leverkusenprediction in the Champions League.
Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen Odds, Picks, Prediction
| Brest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +150 | 2.5 -174o / +142u | +550 |
| Bayer Leverkusen Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -210 | 2.5 -174o / +142u | -210 |
- Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen moneyline odds: Brest +550, Bayer Leverkusen -210, Draw +360
- Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen over/under: 2.5 goals (over -174, under +142)
- Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen pick: Over 3.5
I am backing Over3.5 in Bayer Leverkusen vs. Brest.
Brest Preview
Brest are playing in their first ever European tournament and their fans have not been disappointed. While Brest's Ligue 1 form has been more unstable, they have taken everyone by surprise in their first two Champions League games. Eric Roy's team usually lines up in a 4-3-3 and looks to exploit the wings through Romain Del Castillo and Abdallah Sima. The latter has been on fire for Brest with three goals in their opening two games in the Champions League, but he is injured and will be dearly missed by his teammates.
Up front stands Ludovic Ajorque who at 6-foot-6 towers over defenders. The French striker is great with his back to the goal and he attracts defenders, liberating space for the said wingers.
Brest have allowed the third-most expected goals against them, and this trend is likely to continue against an attacking team such as Leverkusen. I am expecting Brest to play closer to how they have done in Ligue 1 so far rather than the Champions League. When playing better teams such as Marseille at home and PSG away, they have struggled to keep up, losing 5-1 and 3-1 to them, respectively.
Playing at home will give the player a boost and I do think they'll score but I doubt they will come away victorious. It is worth noting Brest are unbeaten in their last five home matches.
Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Bayer Leverkusen look very sharp in this early season. After losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig in their second Bundesliga game, they have not lost, playing against some very tough opposition, including a 1-1 draw to Bayern Munich and 1-0 win over AC Milan. Xabi Alonso still lines up his team in a 3-4-3, where the wingers play much more centrally and are allowed a lot of freedom, leaving space for speedster Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo. Goals have been scored from a variety of players and the team already has 11 different scorers.
Victor Boniface leads the way in attack, but the Nigerian will miss the game against Brest, leaving a heavier charge on Florian Wirtz to produce his usual magic. The German maestro already has six goals and one assist in all competitions. Patrick Schick started in the only game this season Boniface wasn't in the starting 11. The Czech striker is yet to score this season and I wouldn't be surprised if Frenchman Martin Terrier starts the game.
Leverkusen are currently unbeaten in their last seven matches, which includes four wins in their last five away games. While they were able to shutout both Feyenoord and AC Milan, those two games were their only clean sheets this season (bar a 1-0 win against fourth-tier Jena).
Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
While there are injuries to some important attacking options, I still see goals in this game. Brest will try to defend and realistically aim for a draw at home, but I think Leverkusen are better than any team the French side has faced so far.
Following Brest's two wins, I expect teams to take them more seriously and play with all their might, meaning Leverkusen will look to show they are the ones who deserve to keep their 100% record in the competition.
Brest have played against two teams that lined up in a 3-4-3 for one win and one draw. While they came out 2-0 victors against Toulouse, they did allow their opponents to accumulate 2.7 expected goals. If Leverkusen are given as many chances, the scoreline will look much different. The only time the German team played against a 4-3-3 was in their 4-0 trashing of Feyenoord, which was also played away from home.
