Ligue 1 | Gameweek 17

Jan 12, 2025 at 2pm UK

Stade Oceane

Le Havre vs Lens

Match preview

Things have gone from bad to worse for Didier Digard's Le Havre side, who are currently on a five-game losing streak in all competitions.

After 16 games in Ligue 1, they are 17th in the standings, three points behind Nantes in the relegation play-offs and four behind Saint-Etienne, who are guaranteed a place in next season's top flight.

Despite their poor form, Didier Digard has been reassured by the board that his job is safe for the time being, although history does not bode well for his side given their current position.

They are only the fourth side in the French top flight this century to suffer 12 defeats in 16 league games, the others being Grenoble (12 in 2009-10), Metz (14 in 2017-18) and Angers (12 in 2022-23), all of whom were relegated at the end of their respective campaigns.

Le Havre go into the game on the back of three consecutive home Ligue 1 defeats without scoring, and this weekend could see them suffer four consecutive home defeats for the first time in the top flight.

Les Ciel et Marine have lost just 10% of their home matches against Lens in the 2000s and have taken a point from their last nine encounters in Normandy.

In the midst of an important departure, Lens have suffered on the pitch, going into the weekend on a three-match winless run in all competitions.

Their captain, Brice Samba, joined Rennes this week, days after the club initially blocked the transfer, with the France reserve goalkeeper taking Lens' goalkeeping coach with him.

Will Still's side are currently three points behind Nice for a place in next season's Europa Conference League and have taken points from seven of their eight Ligue 1 away games in 2024-25.

On 24 points after 16 rounds of top-flight matches, RC Lens have accumulated two fewer points than they did at this stage of last season under Franck Haise.

After going unbeaten in their first eight league matches of the season, they have lost four of their last eight.

Les Sang et Or have taken points from four of their last five competitive meetings with Le Havre, but have not won an away game in the top flight since May 2003, when they won 3-1.

Recent Performance

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:LWLLLL

Le Havre form (all competitions):WLLLLL

Lens Ligue 1 form:WLWWDL

Lens form (all competitions):LWWDLL

Team News

Le Havre will be without Emmanuel Sabbi, Daler Kuzyayev, Josue Casimir and Issa Soumare due to knocks, while Yann Kitala could also miss out with a foot injury.

Last weekend, Digard made four changes to the side that started against Strasbourg, with Kuzyayev, Yassine Kechta, Ilyes Housni and Andre Ayew coming in for Christopher Operi, Oussama Targhalline, Rassoul Ndiaye and Steve Ngoura, the latter of whom has recently joined Cercle Brugge in Belgium.

Ayew's only goal against Marseille last weekend was his first of the campaign, two fewer than the team's top scorer, Abdoulaye Toure.

A cruciate ligament rupture will sideline Remy Labeau Lascary for the foreseeable future, while Wesley Said, Neil El Aynaoui, Abdukodir Khusanov and Jhoanner Chavez all missed last weekend's game through injury.

However, Sidi Bane and Ruben Aguilar could be in contention, although they missed the last game against Lens with hamstring and shoulder strains respectively, while David Costa is suspended after receiving a red card.

To replace Samba, the club are looking to sign Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez, although his latest loan move was blocked this week, while reports suggest they are close to signing CSKA Sofia's Goduine Koyalipou and Turkish side Fenerbahce have reportedly made an offer for Kevin Danso.

Possible starting lineup

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Desmas; Pembele, Kinkoue, Lloris; Nego, Ndiaye, Toure, Confais, Zouaoui; Logbo, Ayew

Lens possible starting lineup:

Koffi; Frankowski, Danso, Sarr, Machado; Thomasson, Diouf; Sotoca, Fulgini, Zaroury; Satriano