With Le Havre’s survival bid appearing to be well on track, the Ciel & Marine largely owe it to their strong home performances. In the league, Le Havre AC are unbeaten at the Stade Océane since November 2025, following a narrow 1–0 defeat to Lille OSC. Since then, HAC have notably held AS Monaco to a 0–0 draw before claiming back-to-back 2–1 wins over RC Strasbourg Alsace and Toulouse FC. Beaten 2–0 at FC Nantes last week, the Seine-Maritime side will be eager to bounce back in front of their home crowd.
Paris Saint-Germain, however, are fully engaged in the title race. The club from the capital took advantage of their 3–0 win over FC Metz and RC Lens’ slip-up last weekend to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1. Held to a 2–2 draw by AS Monaco on the European stage during this week, Les Rouge et Bleu will be aiming to return to winning ways domestically, consolidate their place at the top of the table, and maintain their momentum.
9 – Paris Saint-Germain have won 9 of their last 10 Ligue 1 matches against Le Havre AC.
26 – Le Havre have collected 26 points after 23 top-flight matches this season, their best tally at this stage of the campaign in the 21st century.
89 – Paris have won 89% of their league matches since December 2025 (8 wins in 9 games); among Europe’s Top 5 leagues, only Inter Milan (92%) have done better over that period.
In goal, Didier Digard is once again expected to rely on Mory Diaw. Having played his youth football with Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning African champion will therefore come up against his boyhood club once more, as will Timothée Pembélé, who is set to start in central defence. On loan from Sunderland AFC, he should be partnered by Gautier Lloris, who will marshall the back line in the absence of suspended captain Arouna Sangante. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over the possible return of Étienne Youté Kinkoué to the Le Havre squad.
If the former France Under-21 international is deemed unfit to start, then highly rated 17-year-old Stephan Zagadou could complete the Ciel & Marine central defence. At right wing-back, another key member of the Norman starting XI will be absent: Loïc Nego. The injured Hungary international is expected to be replaced by Fodé Doucouré, while Yanis Zouaoui should feature on the left flank. In midfield, a trio has stood out in recent weeks, with winter signing Lucas Gourna-Douath operating at the base of the triangle.
In front of him, Simon Ebonog and Rassoul Ndiaye (3 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1 this season) are expected to retain their places, with the latter having established himself as Le Havre’s key midfield figure in the absence of Abdoulaye Touré. Back from injury, Japan international Ayumu Seko could make an appearance off the bench, as could Yassine Kechta, whose influence has waned somewhat in recent weeks. In attack, Issa Soumaré (6 goals, 2 assists) will, of course, be one to watch.
The Senegalese striker is set to wear the captain’s armband again against Paris Saint-Germain, having emerged as the Norman side’s main attacking threat this season. He should be supported by Morocco international Sofiane Boufal, who has already been decisive twice since his winter move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The former Angers SCO, Lille OSC and Southampton FC man is likely to be preferred to Ally Samatta, Kenny Quetant or Enzo Koffi, all of whom could come off the bench to inject fresh energy and dynamism into the Le Havre attack.
