Le Havre vs Lorient Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is an early season six-pointer taking place at Stade Oceane between two sides expected to struggle against the drop this season, Le Havre and Lorient.
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
Le Havre preview: Likely strugglers
Former Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard is in charge of a Le Havre side that have narrowly avoided relegation in each of the last two seasons, and the expectation is that they will once again be battling against the drop this year.
They have started this season with one victory and three defeats in their opening four matches, most recently suffering a 1-0 loss to Strasbourg in the Alsace region due to a second-half stoppage-time winning penalty scored by Joaquin Panichelli.
Lorient preview: Newly-promoted Lorient
Following their promotion to Ligue 1 last season, Lorient were always expected to be one of the teams likeliest to be drawn into the relegation battle this year and, like Le Havre, they have started this season by winning one and losing three thus far.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 4-0 annihilation at the hands of Olympique de Marseille at Stade Velodrome last weekend. That means that Lorient have now conceded 12 goals in their opening four matches of the campaign.
Le Havre team news: Fully fit
As they welcome Lorient to Stade Oceane this weekend, Le Havre a fully fit and available squad for this one and so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven here.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Diaw; Nego, Sangante, Lloris, Zouaoui; Toure; Doucoure, Kechta, Ndiaye, Soumare; Samatta
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Lorient team news: Yongwa suspended
Lorient defender Darlene Yongwa is missing through suspension for this weekend, with fellow defenders Nathaniel Adjei and Isaak Toure both sidelined through injury, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Faye; Mvuka, Cadiou, Abergel, Aiyegun; Makengo, Dermane; Soumano
Unavailable: Adjei (Injured), Toure (Injured), Yongwa (Suspended), Sanusi (Injured)
Questionable: Katseris (Injured), Fadiga (Injured), Pagis (Injured)
Le Havre vs Lorient prediction
Ligue 1 is one of the more lower scoring leagues in Europe, but this one has the potential to be a thriller for the neutral. Lorient have a leaky defence because of wanting to go against the grain and play proactive football going forward. That style and the creation of chaos is what eventually led Le Havre to survival last season so both teams scoring would seem a good bet for this one on the coast.
Le Havre vs Lorient tip: Both teams to score
