The hosts are looking for a way out of the crisis. Prediction for Le Havre vs Auxerre
Le Havre and Auxerre will meet on Sunday, October 18, in the seventh round of French Ligue 1. The match will take place at Stade Océane in Le Havre, with kick-off at 17:15 Central European Time. I am backing goals in this game.
H2H and statistical facts
- Auxerre have lost all three of their away matches this season.
- Le Havre are still without a win.
- Auxerre have not beaten Le Havre in Ligue 1 since 2009.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last four meetings between these sides at Le Havre.
- Le Havre have scored all of their goals this season after the 60th minute.
Le Havre: a difficult start and an urgent need to collect points
Le Havre have made a difficult start to the new season. After the first six rounds, the team had not won a single match, recording two draws and four defeats. Those early results quickly put the Normandy club under pressure, as dropping points at this stage of the season could make the fight for survival considerably more difficult given their limited resources.
One of the main problems has been their lack of goals. Le Havre have scored just four times in their opening six matches, and the team have not always been able to maintain their attacking intensity throughout the game. The 1-1 draw with Lyon showed that the side can create chances even against stronger opponents, but defeats by Monaco and Brest underlined how difficult it is for them to respond when they fall behind.
The clash with Toulouse, which ended in a 3-2 defeat, was another major test. Le Havre scored twice, but conceded three goals and once again came away empty-handed. The result reflects the contradictory nature of the team: they can cause opponents problems in attack, but their defence lacks consistency, especially when the game opens up and both sides are regularly getting into the penalty area.
In the previous round, Le Havre lost 1-0 to Lille. The match was made even more difficult by Ayumu Seko's dismissal, after which it became harder for the hosts to hope for a positive result. Against Auxerre, discipline will be crucial and they must avoid making similar mistakes. The support of the home crowd could encourage the team to play more boldly, but victory will require greater composure in front of goal and more disciplined work without the ball. Otherwise, they will not be able to climb off the bottom of the table.
Auxerre: two wins have sparked hope, but the defence remains vulnerable
Auxerre have also made an inconsistent start to the season, but managed to turn things around after three consecutive defeats. The team lost 5-2 to Lens, went down 3-1 to Angers and then suffered a 3-1 defeat by Lyon. That opening run exposed serious defensive problems: opponents regularly found space and punished Auxerre for mistakes when defending their own penalty area.
The turnaround came in September. Auxerre first edged past Nice 1-0 and then defeated Brest 2-1. These results showed that the team can get results not only through their attacking play, but also thanks to discipline and their ability to protect a lead. The victory over Brest was particularly important, as it ended their poor run and restored confidence ahead of the following rounds.
In attack, Cameron Archer deserves special attention. The Englishman has made four appearances since joining on loan from Southampton and has scored in every one of them. On the other hand, Auxerre have already conceded as many as 16 goals, the worst record of any team in the league.
Their latest performance once again raised doubts about the team's reliability. In the sixth round, Auxerre lost to Rennes after conceding four goals. The defeat served as a reminder of the problems that emerged at the start of the campaign: when faced with intense pressing and rapid opposition attacks, Auxerre's defence loses its shape.
Probable line-ups
- Le Havre: Gollon, Ouziaid, Sasso, Toure, Ndiaye, Richardson, N'Diaye, Ebonog, Nakamura, Maja, Samatta.
- Auxerre: Diop, Oppegard, Akpa, Tuanzebe, Sy, Ahmada, Piedfort, Danoa, Faivre, Namaso, Archer.
What to bet on?
Both teams come into this match on the back of defeats, so the cost of a mistake will be particularly high. Le Havre will have home advantage, but they are struggling for goals and have dropped points too often. Auxerre have conceded more than anyone else, while the hosts are still without a win and sit at the bottom of the table. I expect an entertaining match and will back both teams to score.
