Preview: Le Havre vs Lens - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams aiming to bounce back from opening day defeats in Ligue 1 are set to meet on Sunday when Le Havre host Lens at Stade Oceane.

The hosts were defeated 3-1 by AS Monaco in their first match of the campaign, while the visitors narrowly lost 1-0 to Lyon in their opening fixture.

Match preview

Le Havre secured their return to Ligue 1 for the first time since 2008-09 when they lifted the Ligue 2 title in 2022-23, and the Dean Club have been fighting for their survival in the top flight in the subsequent two seasons.

Le Havre have barely scraped survival in each of those two campaigns, finishing 15th and three points above the bottom three in 2023-24, followed by another 15th-placed finish last term, narrowly placing above the drop zone by just one point.

Didier Digard's side had entered the final day of the campaign sat in the relegation playoff place, but a sensational 3-2 victory over Europe-chasing Strasbourg - courtesy of a dramatic 99th-minute panenka penalty winner from Abdoulaye Toure - lifted them above Reims and kept them in the top flight.

The Dean Club have strengthened over the summer in hope of steering clear of another relegation scrap this term, signing a blend of Ligue 2 talent and experienced Ligue 1 stars.

However, a lacklustre pre-season saw Digard's men fail to win any of their five friendly fixtures, and that form continued into a challenging opening day clash with Monaco, as Le Havre fell to a 3-1 defeat.

Le Havre's difficult start to the campaign continues with a clash against Lens on Sunday, and Digard will be eager to pick up points against the Blood and Gold before equally testing fixtures against Nice and Strasbourg.

As for Lens, the Blood and Gold narrowly missed out on their third consecutive finish in the European places last term as they ended eighth in the table, five points behind seventh-placed Strasbourg.

Former manager Will Still announced his departure at the end of the season due to personal reasons, and Lens have appointed former Lyon boss Pierre Sage to take the helm this term.

Lens have been extremely active in the transfer market as they look to replace a multitude of big-name departures in recent windows, with 12 signings coming through the door, and Sage will be hoping these additions can help lead his side back into the top seven this campaign.

Despite a promising display against Lyon in their first match of the Ligue 1 term, Lens were disappointingly defeated 1-0 on matchday one, but the Blood and Gold's performance contained plenty of encouraging signs, leaving them confident ahead of Sunday's encounter.

Lens have, however, struggled in this fixture since Le Havre's return to the top flight, recording only one win, two draws and one defeat from their four meetings.

Le Havre Ligue 1 form:

Lens Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Last season's hero Toure, as well as Thomas Delaine, Younes Namli and Arouna Sangante, are doubtful to feature on Sunday for Le Havre due to ongoing injury issues.

Loic Nego could be back in the starting 11 for the hosts after serving a suspension on the opening day, playing alongside Ayumu Seko, Gautier Lloris and Yanis Zouaoui in a back four.

As for Lens, Jhoanner Chavez, Remy Lascary and Martin Satriano are all injury doubts for Sunday's encounter, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection.

Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Lyon on the opening day of the campaign, Lens produced a largely positive performance and could field a similar team as a result.

Andy Diouf is not expected to feature for the club with an impending move to Inter Milan, meaning Andrija Bulatovic could start in central midfield.

New signing Florian Thauvin could come into the starting team after a promising 30-minute cameo against Lyon, potentially replacing Wesley Said in attack.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:

Diaw; Nego, Seko, Lloris, Zouaoui; Namli, Ebonog, Kinkoue, Ndiaye, Kechta; Soumare

Lens possible starting lineup:

Risser; Baidoo, Sarr, Udol; Aguilar, Bulatovic, Thomasson, Machado; Thauvin, Fofana, Guilavogui

We say: Le Havre 1-2 Lens

Le Havre made a slow start to the season as they were dominated by AS Monaco on matchday one, and while Lens also lost, Sunday's visitors had a much more positive performance in their opening-day defeat to Lyon, leading us to expect an away win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.