Brest vs Real Madrid predictions: Mbappe to fire for Los Blancos
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- Real Madrid are on 12 points after seven rounds
- Brest are on 13 points in their first-ever European campaign
- Recommended bet: Kylian Mbappe first scorer
Brest and Real Madrid have done the hard work going into their Matchday 8 clash in Guingamp, but that does not mean there is nothing on the line.
French debutants Brest know that victory will possibly send them straight through to the last 16 while Madrid's hopes of a top-eight finish are almost non-existent but they will want to guarantee a seeded play-off spot.
Team news
Brest boss Eric Roy will be hoping left-back Julien Le Cardinal is available after a lay-off.
Right-back Massadio Haidara is still out, as are Jordan Amavi, Bradley Locko and Jonas Martin.
Midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, who last started a game in November, should be on the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti continues to have issues in defence to address with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal both sidelined, while David Alaba is coming back to fitness
Eduardo Camavinga has recovered from a hamstring injury while Vinicius Junior goes fresh after a domestic ban.
The stats
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Brest are unbeaten in their three home matches in the Champions League, those games being played at Guingamp's Stade du Roudourou.
The Pirates are without a draw in any of their last 17 matches in all competitions, while have been level at half-time in just four of 26 matches in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season.
Real have scored in 15 consecutive matches since a 2-0 Champions League loss at Liverpool in November, while they have netted at least three goals in 11 of their last 13 matches.
Kylian Mbappe has scored eight goals in his last five appearances, finding the net in each of them.
Madrid, the 15-time European champions, have lost three times in the Champions League this season.
Prediction
Madrid have found their spark and been putting the hammer down of late, but they may well find Brest a tougher nut to crack up in Brittany.
Having already qualified and with a hectic schedule to come, Ancelotti's men will not be overwhelmed with a desire to turn on the taps at the Stade du Roudourou.
Brest, in great form both domestically and in Europe, have already shown they will not be bullied by any one, no matter what their reputation, so even if Real had aspirations of a glorious League Phase send-off, Eric Roy's Bretons are unlikely to roll over.
They could still make the top eight with a win but have plenty of injuries and PSG to play on Saturday, which should be occupying Roy's thoughts.
Real, still unsettled at the back, are clicking up top, especially Mbappe, the butt of much criticism not so long ago, criticism he has responded to as only a World Cup-winning superstar can.
The France international has rattled in eight goals in his last five games, including a hat-trick at Valladolid on Saturday and can open the scoring in Guingamp.
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