A crucial bottom-of-the-table clash unfolds in the north of France on Sunday, 21 September, as Le Havre and Lorient face off at Stade Oceane, with three vital points up for grabs for these struggling sides.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Le Havre vs Lorient tips below.
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Key stats
- Le Havre have won one of their opening four Ligue 1 fixtures (L3).
- Both teams have scored five goals in their last four matches.
- Eleven of Lorient’s 14 goals conceded this term have come after half-time.
Correct score prediction: Le Havre 2-2 Lorient
Le Havre thought they were going undefeated for a second game in a row after upsetting the odds against Nice, but Strasbourg had other ideas, nicking a 91st-minute penalty to steal all three points last matchday. With three defeats in four outings, Didier Digard’s men are under pressure to deliver at home.
Lorient are in no better shape, conceding 11 goals alone in their previous two losses to Lille and Marseille. Les Merlus possess the league’s worst defensive record so far, and remain winless in four straight away competitive outings.
Both sides are struggling at the moment, and it is difficult to look beyond a result where they share a point apiece. Expect a hard-fought draw to play out at Stade Oceane.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Home favourites
- HOME: 23/20 (2.15) – 46.5%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.5%
- AWAY: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Le Club Doyen ae in desperate need for points after their heartbreak last weekend. Bookmakers back them to clinch a victory on home turf, with 23/20 (2.15) odds in their favour. This suggests a 46.5% chance of triumph.
Olivier Pantaloni’s Lorient have netted just once across their last four away trips, drawing once and losing thrice in the process. They have 11/5 (3.20) bestowed upon them, implying 31.2% win probability rate.
Visit our football betting tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Another fiery draw on the cards?
The two teams last met in the 2023/24 season, with Le Havre winning 3-0 at home, before sharing spoils in an intense 3-3 draw at Lorient. There have been three draws in their last five competitive H2Hs.
France Ligue 1 28/01/24
Lorient
Le Havre
France Ligue 1 03/09/23
Le Havre
Lorient
Europe Friendlies 29/07/23
Lorient
Le Havre
France Ligue 2 19/10/19
Le Havre
Lorient
France Ligue 2 17/05/19
Le Havre
Lorient
Le Havre preview: Back to winning ways?
Abdoulaye Toure and Andy Logbo are both questionable to star in this encounter.
Predicted lineup: Diaw (GK), Nego, Sangante, Lloris, Zouaoui, Seko, Doucoure, Kechta, Ndiaye, Soumare & Samatta
Last five matches:
- Strabourg 1-0 Le Havre (Ligue 1)
- Le Havre 3-1 Nice (Ligue 1)
- Le Havre 1-2 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 1-0 Le Havre (Ligue 1)
- Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 Le Havre (Club Friendly)
Lorient preview: Far from fully fit
Darlin Yongwa is suspended for this clash, while Isaak Toure, Pablo Pagis, Ban Fadiga, Nathaniel Adjei and Panos Katseris are all sidelined for a few weeks.
Predicted lineup: Mvogo (GK), Meite, Talbi, Faye, Le Bris, Cadiou, Abergel, Kouassi, Makengo, Karim & Soumano
Last five matches:
- Marseille 4-0 Lorient (Ligue 1)
- Lorient 1-7 Lille (Ligue 1)
- Lorient 4-0 Rennes (Ligue 1)
- Auxerre 1-0 Lorient (Ligue 1)
- Angers 1-0 Lorient (Club Friendly)
Player to watch: Fode Doucoure
Doucoure has been instrumental in keeping Le Havre hanging within touching distance of the top half of the table. With two goals to his name against Lens and Nice respectively, Doucoure has shone on the front foot. It goes without saying that his defensive rigidity will prove significant as Le Havre seek to snatch maximum points in this matchup.