Le Havre vs Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to move away from trouble near the foot of the Ligue 1 standings, Le Havre welcome Nice to Stade Oceane on Sunday afternoon.

Les Ciel et Marine have lost back-to-back games at the beginning of 2025-26, whereas Le Gym have endured a mixed start to their top-flight schedule.

Match preview

Following their title-winning campaign of 2022-23 in Ligue 2, Le Havre have posted back-to-back 15th-placed finishes at the top table of French football, avoiding the dreaded relegation playoffs by just three points and one point in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Les Ciel et Marine's mission to enjoy a stress-free campaign at the third attempt has started with a pair of damaging losses, with Sunday afternoon's hosts going down 3-1 at Monaco on the opening weekend before being defeated by Lens at Stade Oceane last time out.

Pierre Sage's visitors managed to secure all three points during the first half last Sunday courtesy of efforts from Wesley Said and Rayan Fofana, with summer arrival Fode Doucoure netting a consolation goal for Le Havre on his home debut.

After losing each of their first two matches of the Ligue 1 campaign, Les Ciel et Marine join Nantes, Paris FC and Metz in the quartet of sides who are yet to pick up a result in 2025-26, with the latter two facing each other in the French capital this weekend.

Keeping Le Havre in the top flight by the skin of their teeth last time around, the jury is still out on the managerial abilities of Didier Digard, with the 39-year-old losing a staggering 23 of his 37 matches in charge of Les Ciel et Marine to date.

A fourth-placed finish in 2024-25 secured a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds for Nice, who were confident of making waves on the continental scene after their best Ligue 1 finish since 2017, but the French outfit suffered a sobering start to the current term.

Rather unfortunately, Le Gym were drawn against Portuguese powerhouses Benfica in the third qualifying round of UEFA's top-tier club competition, with the Eagles winning both legs 2-0 to secure a comfortable 4-0 success on aggregate.

Sentenced to an autumn and winter in the league phase of the Europa League, Nice have commenced their Ligue 1 campaign in mixed fashion, experiencing defeat at the hands of Toulouse on August 16 before beating Auxerre at home last time out.

Le Gym were helped significantly by the dismissal of L'AJA shot-stopper Donovan Leon at Allianz Riviera during the first half last weekend, with former Birmingham City man Jeremie Boga and Terem Moffi getting onto the scoresheet for the hosts in a 3-1 triumph.

After leaving Lens for pastures new in June 2024, head coach Franck Haise will take charge of his 50th match for Nice on Sunday afternoon, with the 54-year-old looking to secure his 21st competitive victory at the expense of struggling hosts Le Havre.

Le Havre Ligue 1 form: L L

Nice Ligue 1 form: L W

Nice form (all competitions): L L L W

Team News

Joining from Strasbourg over the summer, Thomas Delaine is yet to feature for Le Havre owing to a hamstring injury sustained at the start of this month.

Les Ciel et Marine could make a number of alterations to their XI following the defeat at Lens, with Abdoulaye Toure and Younes Namli pushing for starts.

Nice are dealing with a lengthy absentee list at the beginning of this campaign, with high-profile names such as Tanguy Ndombele (Hernia) and Dante (knee) unable to play a part.

Le Gym's options at the back are further reduced by the absence of Moise Bombito, who suffered a broken wrist in April.

After providing just the single assist across the last two seasons, Nice midfielder Tom Louchet bagged two in a single match last time out, all-but securing his spot in the engine room for the trip to Stade Oceane.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Diaw; Doucoure, Seko, Lloris, Zouaoui; Sangante, Nego, Ndiaye, Kechta, Soumare; Samatta

Nice possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Mendy, Bah, Oppong; Boudaoui, Samed, Louchet, Bard; Boga, Jansson, Carlos