Lensvs.Le Havre

Franck Haise's men fell to defeat against two of their top-four rivals either side of the international break, and have fallen out of touch with the sides above them.

Match preview

After a 3-1 home defeat to Nice before the break, Lens responded in the worst possible fashion, by losing 2-1 at Lille on the return of club action at the weekend.

Losing to the two sides directly above them in the Ligue 1 standings has seriously dented their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League again next season, as Lens have fallen four points behind Lille in fourth, and seven off an automatic spot.

An instant reaction is necessary, as Haise will also be looking to avoid equalling his worst run of defeats at the club, as Lens have only lost three in succession twice under his stewardship.

Home comforts have not been realised of late though, for a side who so often make their own turf a fortress.

With three defeats in their last five here at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Ligue 1, that is the same number they had lost in the previous 35 - where Lens won 26.

Le Havre are not a side they have enjoyed any sort of recent success against either, as a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture extended their winless run in this fixture to eight matches.

The previous seven meetings all came in Ligue 2, where Le Havre won four and held Lens to a draw in the other three.

Ligue 1 encounters are where Lens have often had the upper hand though, as in their 23 top-flight meetings, Le Havre have won only twice.

This next fixture will be Le Havre 900th in Ligue 1, and they still have plenty of work to do to ensure they will play another 34 next season.

On their return to the top flight, they sit just one point above the drop zone with seven games to play, but none of the sides near the bottom are showing any sort of form, as Clermont are also now destined for the drop.

Despite being bottom of the table though, Clermont are one of the six sides who have inflicted defeat on Le Havre in their last seven outings.

Away trips have proven even more arduous for Luka Elsner's side too, as a victory at Toulouse in early November remains their only win on the road this season, and that will prove costly to their top-flight status should it continue.

Le Havre drew four games 0-0 either side of that Toulouse win, but while they are still feeble in attack with just three goals scored in those seven games, they are now struggling to keep clean sheets.

Lens Ligue 1 form:

D

L

W

W

L

L

Lens form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

L

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

Lens will be able to welcome Abdukodir Khusanov from suspension here, after the Uzbek international missed the defeat at Lille due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

While Khusanov will return in defence, Haise will remain without both Jonathan Gradit (calf) and Deiver Machado (groin), while Jimmy Cabot (knee) is also still out long-term.

Top scorer Elye Wahi is set to come back into the starting XI after getting his 10th of the season off the bench in defeat at Lille, and may replace Wesley Said in attack.

Le Havre will be able to call upon Oussama Targhalline after he was also suspended at the weekend, while Andy Logbo remains their only injury absentee.

Mohamed Bayo scored the two goals in their only away win so far this season, but he has none so far in 2024, and still remains joint-top scorer with four alongside Nabil Aliouli, a player who left the club in January.

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Aguilar, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, El Aynaoui, Chaves; Pereira da Costa; Sotoca, Wahi

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Desmas; El Hajjam, Sangante, Youte Kinkoue, Lloris; Kechta, Toure, Kuzyaev; Ayew, Bayo, Sabbi

We say: Lens 2-0 Le Havre

Lens have had a rough few weeks by losing to two direct top-four rivals, but a favourable game on paper should see them return to form this weekend.

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