Auxerre vs Le Havre Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is an early season six-pointer taking place at Stade l’Abbe Deschamps as likely strugglers Auxerre take on likely strugglers Le Havre in Ligue 1 this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Auxerre preview: Second season syndrome
Having gained promotion to the top-flight in the 2023/24 campaign, Auxerre overperformed last season and even flirted with a top-half finish in Ligue 1, but they have since regressed and are dealing with so-called ‘second season syndrome’.
The home team begin the match day sitting a point outside of the bottom three and the danger zone with two wins in their opening eight matches, having most recently shared a respectable 2-2 draw with Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park last weekend.
Le Havre preview: Entertaining but struggling
Under the management of former Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard, Le Havre have narrowly avoided the drop in each of the last two seasons and they are one of the three teams that sit below Auxerre down at the bottom end of the Ligue 1 table.
They have been very entertaining to watch but that has often led to them being exposed at the back, which was the case last weekend as they suffered a 6-2 hammering at the hands of Olympique de Marseille at Stade Velodrome.
Auxerre team news: A few injuries
Sinaly Diomande is a key doubt for Auxerre this weekend, whilst duo Tellie Siwe and Nathan Buayi-Kiala are missing through their respective knee injury issues.
Predicted XI (3-2-4-1): Leon; Senaya, Francisco Sierralta, Akpa; Casimir, Mensah; Sinayoko, El Azzouzi, Danois, Loader; Osman
Unavailable: Siwe (Injured), Buayi-Kiala (Injured)
Questionable: Diomande (Injured)
Le Havre team news: Lloris suspended
Gautier Lloris, brother of Hugo, is missing through suspension for this one. They also have a couple of key doubts, too, as the versatile Thomas Delaine and Reda Khadra are doubtful.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Diaw; Doucoure, Sangante, Kinkoue; Nego, Kechta, Seko, Ndiaye, Zouaoui; Samatta, Soumare
Unavailable: Lloris (Suspended)
Questionable: Delaine (Injured), Khadra (Injured)
Auxerre vs Le Havre prediction
Auxerre, with their home advantage, will believe they will get on the front foot with a importance on the likes of Danny Loader and Ibrahim Osman in the final third. Le Havre are a team that try and sense an opportunity to attack against anyone and that really won’t and shouldn’t change. As a result, as both sides sense a brilliant chance to inflict pain on a potential relegation rival, this could be quite a fun watch for the neutral.
Auxerre vs Le Havre tip: Over 2.5 goals
