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

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Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Le Havre and Lyon, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides at opposite ends of the form table meet in Ligue 1's early kickoff on Sunday, as Le Havre welcome Lyon to Stade Oceane.

After facing questions about his future in charge of Lyon, Pierre Sage has responded brilliantly, while Didier Digard is not having the start he desired at Le Havre.

Match preview

Lyon's Rayan Cherki celebrates scoring on September 26, 2024 © IconSport

Lyon's poor start to the season was perfectly encapsulated by their embarrassing defeat at home to rivals Marseille, losing 3-2 despite playing against 10 men for 85 minutes.

However, they have managed to go from winning just once in six games, to recording four victories in succession before the international break.

A routine 2-0 win over Nantes in their last outing saw OL move into eighth, just a few weeks after being in the relegation zone, with the introduction of Malick Fofana having had a profound impact on the team, contributing to six goals despite making just four starts.

Their entry into the Europa League, and the fast start they have made in that competition, may well have played a part in Lyon's turnaround.

Victory over Conference League winners Olympiacos on matchday one was followed up with a convincing 4-1 win away to Rangers, leaving Lyon second only behind Lazio on goal difference.

Lyon's next opponents in Europe will be Besiktas, who sit bottom, so Sage's side will be favourites in their next two games, and will hope to finish the week on a six-game winning streak.

With eight wins in their 12 away Ligue 1 games in 2024 too, the visitors will be incredibly confident of claiming another, as they seek to reach double figures for the first time in five years.

Lyon have won six of their previous eight meetings with Le Havre, losing only once in that time, but that was in the most recent encounter, as the hosts won 3-1 here with Sage's side ending the game with nine men.

A repeat of that looks difficult for a Le Havre side devoid of confidence though, because while Lyon are on a four-game winning streak, Digard's men are in the midst of a four-game losing run.

Issa Soumare in action for Le Havre on September 28, 2024 © Imago

Not since the 2010-11 season in Ligue 2 have Le Havre lost five straight league games, so there is the incentive to avoid making unwanted history.

With just six points so far, Le Havre sit one place and one point above the relegation zone, following a 2-0 loss at Brest last time out, where they managed 14 shots, but none on target.

One place above the drop is the same position they finished last season, with HAC only surviving by three points, averaging less than a point-per-game, and similar struggles appear to be on the cards.

A continuation of poor form at the back end of last season does not help, as Le Havre have lost seven of their last nine league games, with home form proving to be their Achilles heel.

Only Nantes have lost more home games than Le Havre's eight in 2024, as two-thirds of their outings here at Stade Oceane have ended in defeat.

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

Lyon form (all competitions):

Team News

Le Havre goalkeeper Arthur Desmas pictured on September 28, 2024 © Imago

Le Havre will be without central defender Etienne Youte Kinkoue after he was sent off in the defeat to Brest before the international break.

Josue Casimir missed the trip to Brittany with an ankle injury and is not expected to return here, joining Andy Logbo on the treatment table.

Goalkeeper Arthur Desmas has had a thankless task so far this season, averaging over three saves-per-game, but he only has one clean sheet to show for it, having conceded 15 goals - the third-worst in the division.

Lyon attacking duo Wilfried Zaha and Gift Orban should return here after they were dropped by Sage for undisclosed disciplinary reasons before the win over Nantes.

Duje Caleta-Car was given a rest by Croatia in their 3-3 draw with Poland on Tuesday, but will be suspended here anyway after amassing three bookings already in the early stages of the season.

Nemanja Matic and Clinton Mata remain doubtful after they missed the previous outing, forcing the latter to pull out of Angola duty during the break.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Nego, Sangante, Salmier, Lloris, Operi; Ndiaye, Toure, Targhalline, Soumare; Housni

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lucas Perri; Maitland-Niles, Omari, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Tolisso; Benrahma, Cherki, Fofana; Lacazette

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We say: Le Havre 0-2 Lyon

There has never been a draw between the sides in the top flight here in Normandy, and that run is likely to extend to 17 games with Lyon the slight favourites to come out on top.

Four wins in a row compared to four defeats in a row does not make for good reading for the hosts, as a confident Lyon side are not the ideal opponents to face when stuck in a rut.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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