Relegation contenders Le Havre and Saint-Etienne lock horns in a bid to escape the drop zone in what is a must-win encounter for both sides at the Stade Oceane on Sunday, 9 March.
View our Le Havre vs Saint-Etienne predictions below.
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Le Havre vs Saint-Etienne predictions: Hosts to pull through
Key stats
- Le Havre have tasted 16 defeats in Ligue 1, one more than the visitors.
- They have lost a club-record seven home games in the league.
- Only Saint-Etienne have scored fewer goals (7) before half-time in Ligue 1 this season than Le Havre.
- Les Verts are on an eight-match winless run in the league.
Correct score prediction: Le Havre 2-1 Saint-Etienne
Le Havre have taken as many points from their last five Ligue 1 games (7) as they did from their previous 16 games. The emphatic 4-3 triumph over Lens only adds to their morale, as visiting Saint-Etienne enter the clash following a fifth defeat in their previous nine outings (W1, D3).
We foresee the hosts earning the bragging rights in this relegation six-pointer, ultimately claiming the league double over the visitors for only the second time in history after the 1953/54 season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies back Le Havre
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.4%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Didier Digard’s men are the bookmakers’ favourites, presumably because of their outstanding victory over European hopefuls Lens. Despite their concerning home form, they are backed by odds of 13/10 (2.30), implying a dominant 43.4% win probability rate.
Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne are enduring one of their poorest ever streaks – winless in their 19 top-flight away games dating back to February 2022. Understandably, bookmakers have placed odds of 19/10 (2.90) on their head – a 34.4% win probability.
Most recent H2Hs: Le Havre with the edge
The hosts remain unbeaten in their last three H2Hs across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Saint-Etienne’s last H2H top-flight victory came in May 2009.
France Ligue 1 24/08/24
St Etienne
Le Havre
France Ligue 2 18/03/23
Le Havre
St Etienne
France Ligue 2 20/08/22
St Etienne
Le Havre
Le Havre preview: Can they build upon their win?
Le Havre registered an upset against Lille last game, but it remains to be seen whether they can repeat their success against lowly Saint-Etienne.
They will play without Daler Kuzyaev, Junior Mwanga, Arouna Sangante, Yassine Kechta and Andy Logbo. Abdoulaye Toure’s presence remains questionable.
Predicted lineup: Desmas (GK), Nego, Kinkoue, Lloris, Operi, Diawara, Soumare, Ndiaye, Kechta, Casimir, Joujou
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
Marseille
3
Le Havre
1
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
W
Auxerre
1
Le Havre
2
France Ligue 1 26/04/25
D
Monaco
1
Le Havre
1
France Ligue 1 19/04/25
L
PSG
2
Le Havre
1
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
L
Rennes
5
Le Havre
1
Saint-Etienne preview: Extremely low on morale
There seems to be little hope of a Verts revival as the end of the season near. Eirik Horneland will miss Dylan Batubinsika, Benjamin Old and Ibrahima Wadji.
Predicted lineup: Larsonneur (GK), Nzuzi, Abdelhamid, Nade, Owusu, Tardieu, Cafaro, Amougou, Boakye, Davitashvili, Sissoko.
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
W
Reims
0
St Etienne
2
France Ligue 1 03/05/25
L
Monaco
3
St Etienne
1
France Ligue 1 26/04/25
L
Strasbourg
3
St Etienne
1
France Ligue 1 20/04/25
W
Lyon
1
St Etienne
2
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
D
Brest
3
St Etienne
3
Player to watch: Issa Soumare
All three of Soumare's strikes this season have come in his last four appearances, including two assists in the process. It seems like the winger has finally hit his stride. Expect him to make a difference at home.