Lens vs Le Havre Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Lens have been knocked off top spot in Ligue 1 as the hosts now welcome a battling Le Havre side to Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the north of France on Saturday evening.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV & Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lens preview: Knocked off the top
Lens had enjoyed a ten-match winning streak and, under the management of former Olympique Lyonnais boss Pierre Sage, had lifted themselves to the top-of-the-table in Ligue 1 but they have since again been knocked off top spot by Paris Saint-Germain.
That is because PSG managed to edge past Auxerre by a goal to nil last week, while Lens succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Olympique de Marseille at Stade Velodrome due to a brace from Amine Gouiri as well as a strike from Ethan Nwaneri.
Le Havre preview: Struggling Le Havre
Le Havre begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the bottom three and the danger zone in Ligue 1 but the visitors have been able to extend the gap between themselves and the bottom three with a recent improved run of form.
The visitors most recently shared a goalless draw with an out of form Monaco side at Stade Oceane last week, meaning that they have now suffered just one defeat in their last five matches in Ligue 1.
Lens team news: Guilavogui suspended
Morgan Guilavogui is missing through suspension for Lens while defenders Jhoanner Chavez and Jonathan Gradit are definitely out with Samson Baidoo a key doubt, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Ganiou, Sarr, Abdulhamid; Aguilar, Thomasson, Sangare, Udol; Thauvin, Said; Edouard
Unavailable: Gurtner (Injured), Jhoanner Chavez (Injured), Gradit (Injured), Guilavogui (Suspended)
Questionable: Baidoo (Injured), Haidara (Fitness)
Le Havre team news: A few injuries
Le Havre are dealing with a few injuries for this one as both Abdoulaye Toure and Reda Khadra are confirmed absentees, while Gautier Lloris, brother of Hugo, is a doubt due to a hamstring issue.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Mpasi; Sangante, Seko, Ndiaye; Nego, Ebonog, Gourna-Douath, Zouaoui; Mambimbi; Samatta, Quetant
Unavailable: Toure (Injured), Khadra (Injured)
Questionable: Lloris (Injured), Zagadou (Injured), Youte (Injured)
Lens vs Le Havre prediction
Lens need to get back on track. They were unfortunate last weekend in a game in which Marseille, the Jekyll and Hyde outfit of France, were very much at their bets last week. They now face a Le Havre side that have been steady of late but lack much attacking thrust and Lens should come out on top in a likely low-scoring encounter, especially with their home advantage.
Lens vs Le Havre tip: Lens to win & under 3.5 goals
