Le Havrevs.Reims

Les Ciel et Marine managed a much-needed success over bottom side Montpellier HSC last time out, whilst Les Rouges et Blancs' worrying form continued with defeat at the home of Toulouse.

Match preview

Following their title-winning campaign in Ligue 2 during 2022-23, Le Havre managed a respectable 15th-placed finish on their return to Ligue 1 last campaign, and it appears that Sunday's hosts are set to have another season of battling the drop this time around at the top table of French football.

Les Ciel et Marine's quest for top-tier safety was given a major boost last Sunday, when relegation rivals Montpellier arrived at Stade Oceane and returned home with nothing to show for their efforts, with a second-half penalty from captain fantastic Abdoulaye Toure sealing the points for the hosts.

A victory for Le Havre last weekend halted their highly-concerning six-game losing streak and allowed them to move up to nine points after 10 matches, meaning that they sit in 17th position in the Ligue 1 table, only one point behind Angers in the relative safety of 15th.

Struggling to collect points on the road, Les Ciel et Marine will be looking to build their bid for top-flight survival on a foundation of solid home form, however Didier Digard's men have conceded an eye-watering 12 goals across five league matches at Stade Oceane to date, with only whipping boys Montpellier (14) allowing more at their respective base.

With midfielder Toure the only player for Le Havre to find the net on more than one occasion so far during 2024-25, supporters will be desperate to see the best of October arrival Andre Ayew in the near future, with the Ghana legend signing as a free agent after spending the majority of last term at the club.

After guiding Le Havre to the Ligue 2 crown and top-flight safety over the past 18 months, Reims head coach Luka Elsner will return to face his former employers for the first time since his emotional exit over the summer, with the Slovenian now chasing loftier dreams with Sunday's visitors.

Following consecutive top-half placements, Les Rouges et Blancs are aiming to mount a European push this season, although that mission has taken a hit since the return of club action after October's international break, with Elsner's troops losing three straight matches in the top flight.

The latest of those defeats arrived at the home of midtable dwellers Toulouse last Sunday afternoon, when an 84th-minute effort from Zakaria Aboukhlal sealed maximum points for Les Violets on home soil following an extended period of dominance and pressure during the second half.

Striving to regain the form that allowed them to enjoy a six-game unbeaten streak between August and early October, Les Rouges et Blancs are currently occupying eighth place in the Ligue 1 table, one point behind Lyon in sixth and six points back from Monaco in the final Champions League spot.

Whilst Teddy Teuma has battled with a hamstring issue in recent weeks, a pair of Japan internationals have stepped up to the attacking plate for Reims, with Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito providing 11 goal contributions combined across the opening 10 matches of the domestic term.

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

Reims Ligue 1 form:

D

W

W

L

L

L

Team News

Le Havre's issues in attack have been worsened by the absence of Andy Logbo, who is yet to kick a competitive ball this season due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in January.

Les Ciel et Marine are also without the services of first-choice centre-back Arouna Sangante, with the 22-year-old picking up a groin problem in early October.

After keeping only his second clean sheet of the term last weekend, goalkeeper Arthur Desmas will be looking to produce another fine performance behind an experienced central-defensive trio.

Reims are unable to call upon the creative powers Malta international Teuma, meaning that Yaya Fofana should continue in the middle for the visitors this weekend.

Reda Khadra's hopes of a productive second term at the club have been dashed by a season-ending cruciate ligament injury suffered in September.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Desmas; Kinkoue, Lloris, Salmier; Toure, Nego, Ndiaye, Targhalline, Zouaoui; Kechta, Ayew

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Kipre, Okumu, Agbadou, Akieme; Kone, Edoa, Fofana; Ito, Nakamura, Diakite

We say: Le Havre 1-1 Reims

Buoyed by a rare win over Montpellier last time out, Le Havre should be relatively confident of building some momentum with a result on Sunday afternoon.

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