Le Havre vs Lorient Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Le Havre vs Lorient on and what time does it start? Le Havre vs Lorient will take place on Sunday 3rd September, 2023 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Le Havre vs Lorient? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Le Havre vs Lorient on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Le Havre vs Lorient
Where can I stream Le Havre vs Lorient in the UK? If Le Havre vs Lorient is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LE HAVRE
Le Havre gained promotion back to the top-flight of French football for the first time in about 15 years last season and their main ambition will simply be to avoid being relegated back down into the second-tier. They have invested wisely over the summer but the reduction of the league from 20 teams to 18 teams will only make a tough task even harder this time around.
They have started with some relatively impressive performances, especially away from home. They come into this on the back of a 2-2 draw away to a Rennes side that will be aiming for a top three finish this time around. That draw follows a 2-2 draw away to Montpellier, too, on the opening day of the season, sandwiching a 2-1 defeat at home to Brest in between.
LORIENT
In the last 12 months, Lorient, like a few other French clubs, have been the subject of a takeover by an American consortium with the various American consortiums having a stake in a Premier League club, too. Bill Foley is the man in charge of both Lorient and AFC Bournemouth and, whilst undermining and fairly humiliating for Lorient in one aspect, they have been able to spend some money this summer they may not otherwise have had.
Regis Le Bris has started the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign in charge of Lorient, once again, and they have so far gone unbeaten in their opening three matches. They began the season with a more than respectable point at Parc des Princes away to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain before drawing with Nice and then annihilating Lille by four goals to one last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
LE HAVRE
Le Havre are searching for a first win back in the top-flight but they are missing a couple of key players, most notably Samuel Grandsir due to his red card last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Desmas; Salmier, Sangante, Lloris, Operi; Toure, Kechta; Nego, Kuzyayev, Ndiaye; Alioui
UNAVAILABLE: Grandsir (Suspended), Targhalline (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LORIENT
Lorient have invested into the squad this summer but they are missing new signings as well as key forward Bamba Dieng, who is out injured for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Mendy, Laporte, Talbi; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Le Goff; Faivre, Pagis; Doucoure
UNAVAILABLE: Dieng (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Tosin (Injured), Boisgard (Injured), Kari (Injured), Silva (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Following promotion Le Havre would be content with collecting two points from their opening three matches, especially picking up two relatively impressive 2-2 draws away from home. Their defeat at home to Brest will be the killer, though. Lorient, on the other hand, are expecting to kick on this season into the top-half so an unbeaten start after three matches of the campaign will be most welcome. This one looks likely to be another lively Le Havre affair so over 2.5 goals may well be worth backing.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
