Le Havre vs Marseille – News and Probable Lineups

In pursuit of a European spot, Marseille is set to visit Stade Oceane this Sunday to face Le Havre on matchday 33 of the Ligue 1 season for both clubs.

Currently, Le Club Doyen finds themselves in 14th place after a 1-1 stalemate against Lille, while Marseille occupies the seventh position following a 3-0 defeat to Nantes in their last outing.

Match overview

Right now, Le Havre is just managing to stay clear of relegation to Ligue 2, having tallied five consecutive draws.

This run has ensured Didier Digard’s squad avoids automatic relegation, providing them a four-point cushion over Auxerre, who are currently in the relegation playoff zone.

A victory on Sunday could officially secure their participation in this competition next season, while also surpassing their previous season’s point tally of 34.

Le Havre remains unbeaten in their last three league fixtures at Stade Oceane, with only one of their last nine home matches resulting in defeat.

In three of their recent four league games, they have taken the lead but have struggled to secure wins, dropping points on four occasions this year after doing so.

Their two only wins this season were against teams currently positioned in the upper half of the standings, achieving 2-1 victories at home against Toulouse and Strasbourg, respectively.

For Marseille, the prospect of European football next season is still attainable, but they are complicating their path in the final stretch of the 2025-26 season.

Habib Beye’s side has dropped points in three consecutive Ligue 1 matches, with only one win in their last six appearances in this competition.

Additionally, they have suffered three straight league defeats away from Stade Velodrome, managing to find the net just once during this disappointing spell.

Securing a spot in next season’s Champions League will be a significant challenge, with the team currently five points adrift of Lille for the last qualification position in that tournament.

A further loss on Sunday, coupled with victories by Mônaco and Rennes, would mean that OM would miss out on European football for the second time in three seasons.

Les Minots have recorded victories in their last 11 encounters against Le Havre across all narratives, four of which were played in Normandy, including a 3-1 success in this very matchup last year.

Team News

An issue with his knee may rule Abdoulaye Toure out of contention for Le Havre on Sunday, while Mbwana Samatta’s availability is uncertain due to an injury. Noam Obougou is sidelined due to a groin issue.

Meanwhile, Stephan Zagadou is ruled out due to a torn cruciate ligament, though Arouna Sangante is set to return from suspension.

Issa Soumare scored Le Havre’s only goal against Lille last weekend, equalizing shortly after Lille had taken the lead with his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

On the Marseille front, Nayef Aguerd is dealing with a groin problem, CJ Egan-Riley is struggling with a muscle injury, Geoffrey Kondogbia has suffered a thigh injury, and Bilal Nadir has a hamstring issue.

Additionally, a knock may keep Himad Abdelli from participating against Le Havre, and first-choice goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is contending with lower back pain.

Jeffrey de Lange is expected to take over in goal, while Igor Paixao and Amine Gouiri are both anticipated to be fit for selection after appearing last week, having missed the match against Nice due to injuries.

Le Havre probable starting XI:

Diao; Nego, Seco, Lloris, Pemble; Kechta, Ebonog; Doucoure, Boufal, Soumare; Coffee

Marseille probable starting XI:

de Lange; Weah, Balerdi, Medina, Palmieri; Vermeeren, Hojbjerg; Greenwood, Timber, Paixao; Gouiri

Eventually, Marseille is likely to overcome their slump, and Le Havre appears to be an opportune opponent for them at this time, with OM having consistently found the back of the net against them in recent years.