It will be a unique encounter between Le Havre and Paris this Friday evening, as the current bottom side in Ligue 1 host the league leaders. The Ciel & Marine, who have had a difficult start to the season, are still searching for their first win. However, the Le Havre side have held their own in certain games: in their away matches at Lyon (1–1) and Lille (1–0), as well as more recently away at Marseille (4–3). But now, the Normans need points.
Points that Paris Saint-Germain have been racking up in recent weeks. Winning against Brest (0–1), Marseille (1–2), Le Mans (3–1) and Strasbourg (1–3), the Rouge et Bleu have shone on pitches across France and took advantage of their latest victory over Lyon (2–0) last Monday to take top spot in the table. With five consecutive wins in the top flight, Luis Enrique’s players head into this away fixture determined to continue their run and consolidate their position at the top of the table.
2 – Le Havre AC (131) and Paris Saint-Germain (163) are two of the three teams with the most shots in Ligue 1 this season, alongside Stade Brestois 29 (136).
12 – The capital club has lost just 12 per cent of its Ligue 1 matches against Le Havre (4 out of 34), a better record than against any other team they have faced at least as many times, apart from Brest (8 per cent).
14 – The Rouge et Bleu have scored in each of their last 14 away league matches, netting a total of 28 goals during that run. This is the best current run in the top flight.
In Le Havre’s goal, coach Didier Digard is expected to once again opt for Gauthier Gallon to cover for Lionel Mpasi’s absence. So far, the former Rennes goalkeeper has been preferred to Arnaud Bodart, who joined from Lille this summer, and the French goalkeeper should be able to rely on Ayumu Seko in front of him. The Japanese international acts as a linchpin in the Normandy side’s defence, where Junior Mwanga has established himself this season. The former Strasbourg midfielder is performing well in this role, whilst Algerian international Ahmed Touba is expected to complete a three-man central defence.
At right-back, Timothée Pembélé is a major doubt for the clash against his former club. Danish international Elias Jelert, meanwhile, appears to be in contention for a return to the squad, though it remains unlikely he will start. This situation could once again propel the very young Djibril Ouziad (17) into the spotlight, whilst competition between Enzo Koffi and Lamine N’Diaye is fierce on the opposite flank. It is difficult to say which of the two defenders will start on the left-hand side, but whatever happens, HAC can count on Simon Ebonog to provide solidity in midfield.
Having come through the Parisian academy, the Yaoundé-born player is expected to feature alongside Amir Richardson and Rassoul Ndiaye. On loan from Fiorentina and back in Seine-Maritime, the Moroccan international is a key figure in Le Havre’s midfield, whilst the Senegalese international, his team’s captain, brings both dynamism and leadership. The youngsters Daren Mosengo (20) and Guy-Noël Zohouri (19), meanwhile, are content with late-game appearances, and the same goes for new signing Kaito Mizuta, who has a more attacking profile. In attack, the Ciel & Marine certainly have no shortage of options.
Starting with Josh Maja, who, after making a superb appearance off the bench in Marseille last week, is expected to regain his place in the starting line-up. It remains to be seen who will start alongside the Nigerian international. Whilst Rayan Fofana seems to be the frontrunner, the Ivorian international will still face competition from Mbwana Samatta, who has featured regularly since the start of the season, and from Japanese international Sota Nakamura. Notably, the Normandy side will still be without Felix Mambimbi, who has been out with an Achilles tendon injury since pre-season.
