Le Havre vs Marseille Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
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One of few games that has something ‘on the line’ for both teams with Le Havre set to avoid the drop and Marseille still in the hunt for European qualification this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 19th May, 2024 - UK – 20:00 / US EST – 15:00 / US PST – 13:00
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be televised live in the UK. / This match will be televised live on beIN Sports in the US.
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will not be able to be streamed live in the UK. / This match will be streamed live via Fanatiz in the US.
LE HAVRE PREVIEW: STAVING OFF THE DROP
Following their promotion to the top-flight of French football for the first time in over 15 years last season, Le Havre began the season relatively well and were pretty much safe when we went into the winter break. It has since been a difficult few months, though, as they begin the weekend sitting just outside of the bottom three and the danger zone.
Former Slovenia international Luka Elsner has Le Havre coming into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat to Nice in their most recent outing at the Allianz Riviera, last weekend. Jeremie Boga scored a 12th minute winner for Le Havre in that game. They have managed just two victories in their last 16 matches across all competitions.
MARSEILLE PREVIEW: AN UNLIKELY EUROPEAN PUSH
Olympique de Marseille, with their demanding and hostile supporters, have endured yet another turbulent campaign down on the south of France with both Marcelino and Gennaro Gattuso sacked earlier in the campaign. Former Ivory Coast boss Jean-Louis Gasset has steadied the ship but they have endured a generally underwhelming season in the middle-of-the-table.
The southerners had their four-match unbeaten run of form ended in midweek when they travelled to manager-less Stade de Reims. Chancel Mbemba’s 33rd minute own goal was enough to separate the two sides. There are strong rumours that current Lille boss Paulo Fonseca will take charge at Stade Velodrome this summer.
LE HAVRE TEAM NEWS: BAYO OUT ALONGSIDE KECHTA
Key attacker Mohamed Bayo, formerly of Clermont, is unavailable for this weekend’s clash against Marseille on Sunday evening, whilst Yassine Kechta will be missing the clash against l’OM through suspension.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Desmas; Sangante, Kinkoue, Lloris, Operi; Sabbi, Toure, Targhalline, Kuzyayev; Casimir, Ayew
UNAVAILABLE: Kechta (Suspended), Bayo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MARSEILLE TEAM NEWS: NO FRESH ISSUES
Jean-Louis Gasset only has one injury issue for this weekend’s must win and crucial trip to Le Havre on Sunday evening. Long-term absentee former Sunderland defender Valentin Rongier is the only absentee for this one.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Lopez; Mbemba, Balerdi, Meite; Clauss, Gueye, Kondogbia, Veretout, Merlin; Sarr, Aubameyang
UNAVAILABLE: Rongier (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LE HAVRE VS MARSEILLE PREDICTION
In order for Le Havre to avoid relegation they have to ensure there isn’t a swing of 12 goals between themselves and Stade Brest. That is obviously extremely unlikely so Marseille will be allowed to take precedent in this game and, despite their crucial and frustrating loss in midweek, the plan will still be to deliver European football for Gasset’s successor and a Marseille victory is to be expected in this one at Stade Oceane.
LE HAVRE VS MARSEILLE TIP: MARSEILLE TO WIN
