Preview: Toulouse vs. Le Havre - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides are winless in recent gameweeks, although the league's new boys have secured consecutive draws, and the loser this weekend could drop into the relegation playoff spot.

Match preview

Toulouse's underwhelming start to the season continued last weekend when they were outclassed by Montpellier in a 3-0 defeat, ending Le Tef's three-game undefeated run.

Despite picking up five points from an available nine in previous rounds, Carles Martinez Novell's men followed their 5-1 Europa League hammering at Liverpool last Thursday with a disappointing loss domestically.

The defeat means Toulouse are one of four clubs tied on 11 points going into this weekend, a group that comprises Sunday's visitors.

Pulling away from that cluster is imperative to avoid being sucked into a relegation tussle, with two points separating Les Violets from third-bottom Metz.

That remains a possibility, with Toulouse struggling to pick up victories in front of their supporters despite going unbeaten at their ground this season (one win and three draws).

Ideally, Le Havre should relish the possibility of a trip to Stadium de Toulouse; however, the newly promoted side's inability to find the back of the net has hitherto undermined their return to the division.

Despite scoring in the competition's first four rounds, the Dean Club have fired blanks in five of their recent six games, underscoring where the issues reside.

Luka Elsner's men have not scored in the last four games, recently missing an opportunity to claim maximum points when they travelled to Metz in round 10.

Be that as it may, Le Havre are doing commendably on their return to the league after a 14-year absence but must get results to avoid being sucked into a relegation tussle.

Even though they are two points clear of 16th-placed Metz in the relegation playoff spot, a six-point buffer over second-bottom Clermont gives Elsner's men some breathing space.

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

D

L

W

D

D

L

Toulouse form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

L

L

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

D

W

L

L

D

D

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Team News

Zakaria Aboukhlal's knee injury could keep him out until the end of November, although Oliver Zanden (hip) and Ibrahim Cissoko (foot) are nearing returns.

After Frank Magri fired blanks in the loss at Montpellier, Martinez could start Thijs Dallinga to lead the line on Sunday.

Le Havre have utilised variations of a back four and back three this season, but the visitors should opt for the latter this weekend.

Even though they are nearing returns, Christopher Operi (hamstring), Oualid El Hajjam (knee) and Oussama Targhalline (muscle) are not expected to feature this weekend.

Arouna Sangante is suspended, and the centre-back has to wait for his 10th Ligue 1 appearance this term.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Restes; Desler, Costa, Nicolaisen, Suazo; Schmidt, Casseres Jr, Spierings; Gelabert, Dallinga, Donnum

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Desmas; Salmier, Kinkoue, Lloris; Nego, Toure, Kuzyaev, Casimir; Sabbi, Bayo, Alioui

We say: Toulouse 1-1 Le Havre

Le Havre could end their goal drought in Toulouse, but neither side currently seems capable of winning games, meaning a draw is likely on Sunday.

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