Le Havrevs.Brest

Last weekend, Les Ciel et Marine came back to earn a 1-1 draw with Reims but remained in 17th position, while Brest moved into the top half of the table in ninth thanks to a 2-1 victory over Rennes.

Match preview

It did not change their place in the standings, but at least something positive came to Didier Digard against Reims as his Normandy side ended a six-match losing run across all competitions a week ago.

Despite claiming a point, their relegation hole got a little deeper, as they are currently four points below that line heading into matchday 19.

So far this season, Le Havre have lost 72% of their Ligue 1 encounters (13 of 18), with only Southampton (82%) in the Premier League having a higher defeats ratio in the top five European leagues.

Le Havre have been particularly poor at home over this campaign, suffering seven defeats in nine league contests at Stade Oceane and they could lose eight in 10 for the second time this century, equaling their mark from 2008-09.

Goals remain hard to come by, with this team scoring the fewest in the French top-flight (14), but they have netted in three consecutive matches in this competition.

If they fail to triumph on Sunday, it will increase their Ligue 1 winless run to seven matches, eclipsing their longest stretch without a victory in the top flight from last season (six).

The Brest campaign began with some positive results in Europe, while they struggled in Ligue 1, but it has been the opposite story for them since the start of 2025.

Eric Roy's men were beaten 2-0 by Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday seven of the Champions League this week, but will enter this weekend on a two-match winning run domestically.

They have won five of their previous six competitive fixtures versus French opposition, with their only defeat during that run being at Angers earlier this month (1-0).

Four of their previous six top-flight affairs have ended with Brest collecting maximum points, as many Ligue 1 wins as they accumulated in their first 12 fixtures this season.

On Sunday, Stade Brestois can claim consecutive away victories in this competition for the first time this season, having picked up just six points domestically outside Stade Francis-Le Ble in 2024-25.

Les Pirates have won 67% of their matches with Le Havre in this competition (6/9), posting consecutive clean sheets against them while winning their previous visit to Stade Oceane in 2023 (2-1).

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

D

Le Havre form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

D

Brest Ligue 1 form:

W

L

W

L

W

W

Brest form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

L

Team News

In their previous match, Le Havre were missing Daler Kuzyayev due to a knock, Yann Kitala has a sore foot and Abdoulaye Toure is dealing with a rib injury.

A shoulder strain may keep Elysee Logbo on the sidelines this weekend, while Etienne Youte Kinkoue will have to sit out because of a yellow card suspension.

Arouna Sangante had the equalising goal for them against Reims last Sunday, the second of the Ligue 1 campaign for the club captain.

As for Brest, Bradley Locko may still be out with a lower leg problem, Julien Le Cardinal has a sore hamstring, while Jonas Martin and Massadio Haidara are questionable with muscle tightness.

On Wednesday in their Champions League fixture, Pierre Lees-Melou, who has missed a lot of time lately with an injury, was on the sidelines but did not feature, while Mathias Pereira Lage was the only new face in the starting 11 for that match who was not in the opening lineup against Rennes, replacing Luck Zogbe at right-back.

Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque found the back of the net for them in their previous domestic affair, the first and team-leading sixth of the Ligue 1 campaign for those two, respectively.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Gorgelin; Sangante, Salmier, Lloris, Zouaoui; Soumare, Targhalline, R. Ndiaye, Joujou; Sabbi, Ayew

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, A. Ndiaye, Zogbe; Fernandes, Magnetti; Camara, Lees-Melou; Ajorque, Balde

We say: Le Havre 0-2 Brest

Booking a place in the Champions League knockout phase has enabled Brest to focus their attention on the domestic campaign and they are beginning to find their form in Ligue 1.

Their opponents are in a tailspin and struggling to find any quality in the attacking third, and we believe that will continue Sunday seeing as Stade Brestois have had their way with the Normandy club through the years.

Written by

Joel Lefevre

Previews by email