Ligue 1 | Gameweek 23

Feb 23, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Stade Oceane

Le Havre vs Toulouse

Match preview

Le Havre are struggling to extend their two-year stay in the top flight, having won five, drawn two and lost 15 of their 22 league games this term.

Their underwhelming record has left them one point above the relegation zone and four points adrift of safety.

Didier Digard's side last won away to Lille earlier this month, with Ahmed Hassan and Issa Soumare finding the net to end an eight-match winless run.

However, they were unable to replicate that result at home to Nice on Sunday, as Nice ran out 3-1 winners and condemned Le Havre to a sixth successive home defeat in Ligue 1.

Le Havre will be desperate to end that run this weekend as they go in search of their first home win since beating Montpellier 1-0 at the start of November.

Getting all three points will be easier said than done, however, as they have failed to score in six of their 11 home league games this season.

A 1-0 win over Lens on 5 January left Toulouse in eighth place, just three points off the top six in the race for European qualification.

Since then, however, their European hopes have been dealt a severe blow by a six-match winless run (D3, L3) which has left them nine points adrift of the top six with 12 games remaining.

Toulouse recently drew at Nice and Auxerre, before losing 1-0 at home to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain last Saturday.

Carles Martinez's side held the reigning champions at bay until half-time, but Fabian Ruiz's second-half strike condemned Toulouse to a third defeat in four home league games (D1).

Meanwhile, Les Violets have won just one of their last five away matches, although they have avoided defeat in each of their last three away games at the Stadium de Toulouse.

The visitors have the chance to complete the league double against Le Havre, having won 2-0 in the reverse fixture in September.

Recent Performance

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:LDLDWL

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:LDLDDL

Toulouse form (all competitions):DLDLDL

Team News

Le Havre could be without Daler Kuzyaev, Fode Ballo-Toure, Daren Mosengo, Abdoulaye Toure and Andy Logbo.

Midfielder Rassoul Ndiaye could be in contention for a starting berth after coming on as a half-time substitute against Nice.

Andre Ayew will be hoping to get the nod over Hassan after being forced to settle for a place on the bench in the last three games.

The visitors will be without Niklas Schmidt and Josh King, while goalkeeper Guillaume Restes is unlikely to be involved after being sent off in the first half against PSG.

Kjetil Haug came off the bench to replace Restes last weekend and looks set to start between the sticks on Sunday.

Zakaria Aboukhlal will be one of Toulouse's main goal threats, having scored six goals and provided two assists in 22 league appearances this season.

Possible starting lineup

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Gorgelin; Nego, Kinkoue, Sangante, Zouaoui; Joujou, Ndiaye, Mwanga, Kechta, Soumare; Ayew

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Haug; Canvot, Cresswell, Akdag; Donnum, Casseres, Sierro, Suazo; Babicka, Aboukhlal, Magri