Two teams currently involved in the battle against relegation in Ligue 1 face off this weekend, as Le Havre host Strasbourg at Stade Oceane.
With just two points separating the sides in the standings, the game already feels like a crucial relegation six-pointer.
Match preview
![Head coach Didier Digard of Le Havre AC gestures during the pre-season friendly match between AZ and Le Havre AC at AFAS Stadion on July 31, 2024 [on August 14, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/33/didier-digard.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Head coach Didier Digard of Le Havre AC gestures during the pre-season friendly match between AZ and Le Havre AC at AFAS Stadion on July 31, 2024 [on August 14, 2024]")
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Following their promotion from Ligue 2 in 2023, Le Havre were among the favourites to go straight back down again last season.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, they managed to survive in Ligue 1, finishing three points clear of the relegation zone.
Staying up last year was considered a success, but manager Luka Elsner was snapped up by Reims after his successful two-year spell in charge.
Elsner was replaced by Didier Digard, who started his playing career with the club in 2003 before moving to Paris Saint-Germain four years later.
The former Middlesbrough midfielder made a strong start in his new role, winning two of his first three games in charge of the Normandy side.
However, his honeymoon period was short-lived, as Le Havre went more than two months without a win in the league following their 3-1 triumph over Auxerre at the start of September.
This poor run has left the hosts in another battle against relegation, as they currently sit 17th in the table, with 12 points from 14 games.
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Their opponents this weekend find themselves in a similar predicament, having also made a managerial change over the summer.
Patrick Vieira left the club in July after guiding Strasbourg to 13th in Ligue 1 last season, with former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior chosen as his replacement.
Strasbourg made a promising start to life under Rosenior, with their only defeats in their opening nine fixtures coming at the hands of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Les Bleu et Blanc lost all four of their Ligue 1 fixtures in November, which has seen them fall in the league standings – although they did manage to stop the rot last weekend, with a goalless draw at home to Reims.
One of the reasons behind Strasbourg's struggles so far this season is their poor away form, with Rosenior's men one of four teams in the division yet to win on the road during this campaign.
However, they may sense an opportunity to end that record this weekend against Le Havre, who have one of the worst home records in the league, with only Angers faring worse in their home matches so far this season.
Another issue for the visitors has been their leaky defence this year, with their 27 goals conceded contributing to the third-worst defensive record in Ligue 1.
The visitors have only kept two clean sheets in the league all season, but they are going up against a Le Havre side that is joint-worst with Saint-Etienne for goals scored this campaign with 11, and remarkably only one of those has come at home since the start of September.
Team News
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Le Havre's Senegalese duo Issa Soumare and Arouna Sangante will miss the clash due to groin injuries, while Ismail Bouneb and Emmanuel Sabbi are dealing with muscle issues.
Elsewhere, Andy Logbo remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury, while Josue Casimir (ankle), Yann Kitala (ankle) and Antoine Joujou are also expected to be out for the hosts.
However, they were boosted by the recent return of Oussama Targhalline, who started the defeat against Nice following a leg injury.
Meanwhile, the visitors have injury concerns of their own, with Ivorian pair Moise Sahi Dion (knee) and Loubadhe Abakar Sylla not expected to feature.
Additionally, Caleb Wiley has not featured since picking up an injury against Nice last month, and is unlikely to be involved this weekend either.
In further blows for the visitors, goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch is expected to be out until at least the end of the month with a hamstring injury and Thomas Delaine is doubtful with a knee problem.
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Lloris, Youte Kinkoue, Salmier; Operi, Ndiaye, Toure, Pembele; Targhalline, Kechta, Ngoura
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doukoure, Sarr, Doue; Moreira, Santos, Diarra, Bakwa, Mara; Nanasi, Emegha
We say: Le Havre 0-1 Strasbourg
There is little to separate the teams in the Ligue 1 standings, so this should be a tight encounter between two clubs both in need of three points.
Strasbourg have struggled away from home this year, but we are backing them to get their first away win against a Le Havre side that have found it difficult to score goals this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
