Two teams aiming to build on their recent successes will face off this weekend as relegation-threatened Le Havre welcome Nice for round 22 of Ligue 1.
Both sides ended their winless runs last time out, with the Sky and Navy snapping a nine-match streak across all competitions while the visitors put an end to a three-game slump.
Match preview
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Le Havre head into the weekend with renewed confidence after securing an unexpected 2-1 victory at Lille in Ligue 1 last weekend.
That triumph was a significant boost considering Didier Digard's side had managed just two draws and six defeats in their previous eight top-flight outings, but a determined display saw them race into a two-goal lead through Ahmed Mahgoub and Issa Soumare, rendering Chuba Akpom's 97th-minute effort a mere consolation.
Despite that win, Le Havre remain in the bottom two with 17 points, placing them only above Montpellier, who prop up the standings, while the Dean Club are four points adrift of safety.
Having drawn 1-1 against Angers in their previous outing before their most recent success, Le Club Doyen now have the chance to go three games unbeaten in the division for the first time since between January and February 2024.
However, they face a daunting task against this weekend's visitors, who have beaten them in the last two meetings, winning 1-0 in May 2024 and 2-1 in this season's reverse fixture last December.
The challenge looks even tougher for the hosts given their struggles at Stade Oceane, where they have suffered defeat in eight of their 10 Ligue 1 encounters this term, with their six points leaving them with the worst home record in the division.
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Meanwhile, Nice bounced back from their disappointing cup exit with a commanding 2-0 win against Lens at Allianz Riviera last Saturday, a result that propelled them into the Champions League places.
Having failed to make home advantage count in their Europa League knockout stage first-leg playoff against Bodo/Glimt and also suffering a shock round of 16 elimination to fourth-tier Stade Briochin in the Coupe de France, the Eaglets needed a strong response, and they delivered.
Gaetan Laborde's early strike set the tone before Jonathan Clauss sealed the win in the 64th minute as they continued their impressive league run.
With nine triumphs in their last 17 Ligue 1 matches, along with six draws and two defeats, Nice have found consistency after a slow start to the campaign that saw them manage just one victory in their opening four games, losing twice.
Their tally of 37 points from 10 wins, seven stalemates and four reverses leaves Le Gym third in the standings, ahead of fourth-placed Monaco only on goal difference.
Eager to strengthen their grip on a top-three spot, Nice will set their sights on the full reward this weekend, but they face a challenging hurdle, having returned empty-handed from five of their eight trips to Le Havre with only three draws to show for their efforts.
Team News
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Arouna Sangante returns from suspension and will provide a significant boost to Le Havre's defence following their impressive win against Lille last weekend.
Digard could stick with the same starting XI from that encounter, with Ahmed Hassan leading the line and Issa Soumare operating on the left wing.
However, the team remains without Abdoulaye Toure, Elysee Logbo, Fode Ballo-Toure, Emmanuel Sabbi, Daler Kuzyaev and Antoine Joujou, all of whom are ruled out through injury.
With both Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Hicham Boudaoui suspended due to yellow card accumulation, Nice will be forced into key adjustments.
In Ndayishimiye's absence, Melvin Bard could slot in at centre-back, a role he occupied earlier in the season, with Ali Abdi taking over on the left flank, while Boudaoui's unavailability could open the door for Mohamed Abdelmonem to step into midfield.
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Gorgelin; Nego, Zouaoui, Sangante, Lloris; Mwanga; Soumare, Diawara, Kechta, Casimir; Hassan
Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Bombito, Dante, Bard; Clauss, Abdelmonem, Santamaria, Abdi; Guessand, Laborde, Cho
We say: Le Havre 1-2 Nice
Even though the hosts secured victory in their last outing, it might just be a blip rather than a turning point, given previous patterns.
Nice, on the other hand, have been consistent in the top flight, and their strong momentum could finally help them end their winless run at Le Havre.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
