The Stats Zone
April 5 2024, 18:08 · Alex Lawes

Lens vs Le Havre Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1

Lens vs Le Havre Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1

THE FACTS

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When is Lens vs Le Havre on and what time does it start? Lens vs Le Havre will take place on Saturday 6th April, 2024 – 16:00 (UK)

Where can I get tickets for Lens vs Le Havre? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information

What TV channel is Lens vs Le Havre on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lens vs Le Havre

Where can I stream Lens vs Le Havre in the UK? If Lens vs Le Havre is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+

THE LOWDOWN

LENS

It was an extremely difficult start to the Ligue 1 campaign for Lens after they lost a couple of key players in the summer transfer window such as Seko Fofana and Lois Openda. The northerners, though, have really returned to some form ever since late-September and without their slow start would be challenging to be runners’ up like they were last season.

The hosts come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat, though, in the Derby du Nord against Lille with goals from Edon Zhegrova enough to see off Elye Wahi’s late strike. Lens begin the weekend sitting in the top six and still very much competing for a top three finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification.

LE HAVRE

Having returned to top-flight football for the first time in over 15 years with promotion last season, former Slovenia international Luka Elsner has overseen a relatively impressive campaign from Le Havre but they have fallen off fairly significantly pretty much since the winter break and are now hovering just above the bottom three.

Le Havre come into this one on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers, Montpellier, which itself was preceded by a shock loss to bottom-of-the-table and seemingly Ligue 2-bound, Clermont, before the March international break. Elsner remains in charge at Stade Oceane but is under increasing pressure for his job.

THE TEAM NEWS

LENS

Lens have a few injury concerns for this weekend as the likes of Jonathan Gradit, Deiver Machado and Jimmy Cabot are missing for the home team.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Samba; Aguilar, Danso, Medina; Chavez, El Aynaoui, Abdul Samed, Frankowski; Costa; Sotoca, Said

UNAVAILABLE: Gradit (Injured), Machado (Injured), Cabot (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

LE HAVRE

Le Havre head to Lens with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues so they will be able to name an unchanged squad for this weekend with a fully fit and available squad.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Desmas; Sangante, Kinkoue, Lloris, Operi; Toure, Targhalline; Sabbi, Kuzyayev, Ayew; Bayo

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

THE PREDICTION

For much of the first part of the season, these two were quite close together in the middle-of-the-table. However, Lens have pretty much re-established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the country, whilst Le Havre have sank and are very much involved in the relegation battle. A comfortable Lens victory is to be expected on Saturday afternoon, especially with their home advantage.

TIP: LENS TO WIN