AJ Auxerre vs Stade Brestois 29

Auxerre host Brest at the Abbé-Deschamps with the two sides heading in opposite directions early on. Auxerre sit bottom of Ligue 1 without a point, making this a must-not-lose fixture, while Brest arrive unbeaten and already punching above their expected mid-table spot. Under new coach Will Still, who replaced Christophe Pélissier after a spell at Southampton, Auxerre have lost all three league games, shipping 11 goals along the way. Brest, now led by Julien Lachuer following Éric Roy's passing in June, have won once and drawn twice, with Kamory Doumbia among Ligue 1's leading scorers and Ludovic Ajorque still their attacking focal point. Auxerre's new forward Danny Namaso has offered some encouragement in attack. Brest also hold the edge historically, having won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in January. Given Auxerre's defensive struggles and Brest's early momentum, expect the visitors to edge a competitive contest rather than a repeat of Auxerre's high-scoring defeats. Our prediction: 1-2