Ligue 1 | Gameweek 8

Oct 20, 2024 at 2pm UK

Stade Oceane

Le Havre vs Lyon

Match preview

Lyon's poor start to the season was summed up by their embarrassing 3-2 home defeat to rivals Marseille, despite playing 85 minutes with 10 men.

However, they have gone from just one win in six games to four in a row before the international break.

A routine 2-0 win over Nantes in their last outing lifted OL into eighth place just weeks after they were in the relegation zone, with the introduction of Malick Fofana having a profound effect on the team, scoring six goals in just four appearances.

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

A victory over Conference League winners Olympiacos on the opening day was followed by a convincing 4-1 win away to Rangers, leaving Lyon second only to Lazio on goal difference.

Lyon's next European opponents are bottom-placed Besiktas, so Sage's men will be favourites in their next two games as they look to end the week on a six-game winning streak.

Having won eight of their 12 Ligue 1 away games in 2024, the visitors will be confident of another win as they look to reach double figures for the first time in five years.

Lyon have won six of their last eight meetings with Le Havre, losing just once in that time, but that came in the most recent encounter when the hosts ran out 3-1 winners and Sage's side finished the game with nine men.

However, a repeat of that result will be difficult for a Le Havre side lacking in confidence, with Digard's side in the midst of a four-match losing streak while Lyon are on a four-match winning streak.

Le Havre have not lost five consecutive league games since the 2010-11 Ligue 2 season, so they will be keen to avoid making unwanted history.

With just six points to their name, Le Havre sit one place and one point above the drop zone after a 2-0 defeat at Brest last time out, in which they had 14 shots on target but none on target.

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

A continuation of their poor form at the end of last season has not helped, 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, with two-thirds of their outings at the Stade Oceane ending in defeat.

Recent Performance

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

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Lyon Ligue 1 form:

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Lyon form (all competitions):

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Injuries and suspension

Le Havre

10 Josué Casimir

20 Andy Logbo

9 Yann Kitala

Lyon

No sidelined players

Possible starting lineups

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