Le Havre vs Monaco – News and Probable Lineups

Entering their fourth straight season in Ligue 1, Le Havre will kick off their 2026-27 campaign on Sunday, hosting Mônaco at Stade Oceane.

Last season, the Normandy side finished just above the relegation playoff line in 14th position, while Mônaco took seventh place, securing the last qualifying spot for the Conference League.

Match overview

Le Havre have managed to stay afloat in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation multiple times, but they’ve consistently done enough to remain above the drop zone.

Although they have not finished higher than 14th under Didier Digard, last year they managed to accumulate 35 points, their highest since the league shifted to a 34-match format.

They have secured points in six of their last seven league encounters but have only achieved maximum points once during that period (2-0 against Lorient).

On Sunday, Le Havre could end a five-match winless streak at home in Ligue 1, having gathered only three points during that stretch.

While they tend to stay competitive in matches, the Normandy outfit can often be their own worst enemy, committing the second-most fouls per match (13.7) in the league last season.

Les Ciel et Marine are undefeated in their last five home matches against Les Monegasques across all competitions, including a 0-0 stalemate in this exact encounter last season.

Mônaco exhibited moments of strong form during the 2025-26 season, yet their inconsistency ultimately cost them dearly.

It will be up to Filipe Luis to restore some order to this roster as the Copa Libertadores-winning manager with Flamengo takes charge of a club that last season recorded its worst top-flight finish since 2019-20 (ninth).

Les Monegasques have dropped points in three of their last four travels in this competition, conceding a total of 12 goals across those fixtures.

Discipline has been a recurring issue, as the team incurred the second-highest number of red cards in the league in 2025-26 (six).

In front of goal, Mônaco found good opportunities domestically in 2025-26, leading to the second-most possessions in the final third and creating the fifth-highest number of big chances.

The Principality side has won three of their last four opening away matches in this competition but were defeated 1-0 at Lille last season.

Team News

For this initial match, Le Havre will be missing Stephan Zagadou, who is healing from a cruciate ligament tear, while Felix Mambimbi is sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Amir Richardson is anticipated to make his first Ligue 1 appearance since the 2023-24 season with Reims after rejoining on loan this summer, while new signing Junior Mwanga will be keen to make a good impression having transferred from Strasbourg.

Mônaco will be without Mohammed Salisu, also recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, and Takumi Minamino is also likely absent for similar reasons, while the club has terminated the contract of Paul Pogba.

Folarin Balogun remains strongly linked with a transfer to Tottenham, who are reportedly interested in securing his services, paving the way for Mika Biereth to likely feature in the starting lineup, with ex-Nantes striker Matthis Abline also vying for a place in the first XI.

Le Havre probable starting XI:

Diaw; Pembele, Seko, Sasso, Zouaoui; Yes, my friend; Mizuta, Richardson, Nakamura; Samatta

Mônaco probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Vanderson, These, Dier, Nazinho; Detourbet, Camara, Zakaria, Golovin; Abline, Biereth

Filipe Luis possesses a shrewd defensive mentality, and we anticipate he will adjust to Le Havre’s strategy to exploit the home side’s weaknesses, leveraging his team’s creativity and stronger attacking options.