On Wednesday, 29 January, Brest will play at home against Real Madrid. This is actually a direct match for getting into the top eight. Both teams can still avoid an extra round.

The standings look as follows: the French will qualify for the top-8 if they win, while Real will still need to beat several opponents on goal difference. They won't make it into the top four but even a minimal success is likely to be enough.

Brest were not expected to be so high at all. The team has a rather modest transfer budget, this is the first year in the Champions League, and there are no serious opportunities for rotation.

Surprisingly, Brest managed to avoid failure in their home league. The team has produced four wins in the last five matches. Now Eric Rua's wards are quietly located in the middle of the table. This will help to focus on the Champions League matches in the winter.

Brest remains more of a home team in all tournaments. In France in the table of games at home field is in fourth position, in the Champions League defeated Sturm, PSV and did not lose to Bayer. So in this there is a certain difficulty for Madrid. In the match with Real Madrid will definitely not be able to play defender Jorden Amavi. The main attacking performers have no health problems.

Real responded very solidly to the defeat in the Super Cup. Madrid simply demolished the next four opponents. With Celta had to suffer, but still in the gates of the club from Vigo visited five goals. Next, Las Palmas, Salzburg and Valladolid fell under the bruised Real Madrid. In total, the club scored 17 goals in four meetings. The average performance - more than four goals per game.

The best series in Madrid was given by Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman scored in five consecutive matches. The striker joined the scoring race - only two goals to Lewandowski's one.

Injuries remain a serious problem for Carlo Ancelotti. Aurélien Tchouameni does not play well in the centre of defence, but linking up with Antonio Rüdiger is enough to get past average opponents.

Vinicius is suspended for La Liga matches, but he can definitely play in the Champions League. On the long-term injury list: Eduardo Kamawinga, Eder Militao, Daniel Carvajal.

It makes sense for Real Madrid to pad their goal difference. The team's attack is in great shape. At the same time, Brest has already managed to contain Bayer. The French club is definitely not in crisis, but also to play to win is not able to play - too great a difference in class. Bookmakers expect a very productive football. There are prerequisites for this, but within reason. Real have previously crushed the obvious La Liga outsiders - Brest are much stronger and will be able to stay disciplined at home.