Both looking to build on positive cup results earlier in the month, Le Havre will welcome strugglers Lyon to Stade Oceane on Sunday evening in Ligue 1.
The hosts were narrow victors over second-tier opposition in the Coupe de France last time out, while Les Gones made easy work of progressing into the next round.
Match preview
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Le Havre commenced their 2024 calendar with a 2-1 home success over Ligue 2 outfit Caen in the Coupe de France last weekend, with strikes from Antoine Joujou and Daler Kuzyaev sandwiching the goal of Godson Kyeremeh to set up a tie against third-tier Chateauroux next weekend.
Focusing on league matters for the time being, Le Club Doyen have enjoyed a steady start to life back on the top table of French football after winning Ligue 2 last term, with Le Havre currently sitting 11th in the league table, five points ahead of 16th-placed Toulouse.
Luka Elsner's men produced a notable victory during the Christmas period to fire themselves further away from relegation worries at the foot of the division, handing title-chasing Nice only their second defeat of the campaign on December 16, when Emmanuel Sabbi bagged a brace in a 3-1 success.
Leading the goalscoring charts for Sunday's hosts is forward duo Nabil Alioui and Mohamed Bayo - who have both made the net ripple four times in Ligue 1 to date - but the latter is away for the next couple of matches due to his involvement for Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Three of Le Havre's four league maximums so far have arrived at Stade Oceane in front of their own supporters, but a record of nine goals in eight home matches hardly screams prolific, with only bottom side Clermont Foot (4) and Metz (7) having netted fewer on familiar territory this campaign.
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Following three-straight wins in Ligue 1 at the end of 2023, Lyon have confirmed that former interim head coach Pierre Sage has signed a permanent contract until the conclusion of the current campaign, with the 44-year-old's primary aim being to keep one of France's historic clubs in the top flight.
By the time Fabio Grosso was removed from the managerial hotseat on November 30, Les Gones were rooted to the bottom of the Ligue 1 standings, but three league wins from five matches under the leadership of Sage has allowed the 2007-08 champions to climb up to 15th at the halfway point.
Lyon began their Coupe de France journey by convincingly beating Pontarlier last Sunday, with Rayan Cherki opening the scoring after 45 minutes, before former Arsenal duo Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette found the net to book a trip to Bergerac Perigord in the next round.
Les Gones have been very active in the early stages of the January transfer window as they attempt to avoid second-tier football next term, with Adryelson and Lucas Perri arriving from Brazilian side Botafogo, while Sage's men are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma, who is currently on loan at Everton.
September's encounter between Le Havre and Lyon was their first meeting since February 2009, although it was not a particularly memorable occasion as the sides played out a goalless draw, with Anthony Lopes and Arthur Desamas managing to keep rare clean sheets.
Team News
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Le Havre have a number of players away on international duties this month, including leading marksman Bayo, midfielder Abdoulaye Toure and former Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew.
The hosts will be without the services of enforcer Rassoul Ndiaye on Sunday afternoon, with the 22-year-old serving a two-game suspension for picking up a red card in the loss against Reims on December 20.
Christopher Operi put in a stellar performance as Le Havre battled to Coupe de France victory last time out, so we are expecting the left-back to retain his spot in the XI.
Lyon have two players who will be away at AFCON for a period of time, meaning Ernest Nuamah and Mama Balde will be unavailable for selection this weekend.
Dejan Lovren is suspended for one more game after receiving his marching orders in the fixture at home to Nantes last month, so fellow Croatian Duje Caleta-Car will need a new partner at centre-back.
Irishman Jake O'Brien is enjoying a breakthrough season in a top-five European league after spells at Cork City and Swindon Town in recent years, and the 22-year-old should start on Sunday.
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Sangante, Kinkoue, Lloris, Operi; Targhalline, Casimir, Nego, Kechta, Joujou; Grandsir
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; O'Brien, Caleta-Car, Kumbedi; Mata, Caqueret, Tolisso, Tagliafico; Kadewere, Cherki; Lacazette
We say: Le Havre 1-2 Lyon
Le Havre have fared well so far on their return to Ligue 1 but could be dragged towards the relegation zone during the second half of the campaign.
Lyon are on a roll after such a dreadful start to the campaign, and we reckon that Sage will celebrate his permanent position as Les Gones manager with three points on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
