Both aiming to move away from trouble at the foot of the league standings, Le Havre and Angers will lock horns for a Ligue 1 clash on Sunday afternoon.

Les Ciel et Marine come into this match after a comfortable win last time out, whilst Le SCO will be looking to end a worrying run of defeats.

Match preview

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Since returning from the international break, Le Havre have managed to get their hopes of ensuring safety at the top tier of French football back on track, recording a two-goal success over Nantes last time out on November 24.

Despite seeing little of the ball at the home of the Yellow Canaries, Les Ciel et Marine made their few chances count as strikes either side of the half-time interval from Josue Casimir and Steve Ngoura sealed maximum points on the road.

Heading into the busy festive schedule, Le Havre are currently occupying 14th spot in the Ligue 1 standings ahead of this weekend's clash with Angers, two points above their visitors in the highest of the relegation spots.

Despite plying his trade in the middle of the park, Abdoulaye Toure has turned out to be Les Ciel et Marine's main source of attacking quality this season so far, with the 30-year-old the only player in the squad to have netted more than once in the league.

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After earning a second-placed finish in Ligue 2 last season and subsequent promotion back to the top flight of French football at the first time of asking, Angers are now on a mission to ensure that they do not experience the heartbreak of an immediate relegation.

Le SCO commenced their November itinerary in exceptional fashion - beating Champions League-competing Monaco 1-0 away from home - however Sunday's visitors have since suffered back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1, struggling massively at home to Paris Saint-Germain and away at Auxerre.

It looked as if Angers were on course for a mediocre share of the spoils at Stade de I'Abbe Deschamps last Sunday heading into the final moments of the contest, however a 93rd-minute strike from Hamed Traore resulted in all three points being snatched by the hosts.

Winning just two of their opening 12 top-flight fixtures so far this term, Le SCO are languishing down in 17th position in the Ligue 1 table, just three points above the division's whipping boys Montpellier HSC.

Team News

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After missing a spell near the beginning of the season due to injury, Le Havre's number-one goalkeeper Arthur Desmas is back in between the sticks.

However, Les Ciel et Marine remain without the services of defender Arouna Sangante, who suffered a groin injury at the beginning of October.

The hosts' options at the top of the pitch are reduced by the absence of striker Yann Kitala, with the 26-year-old battling back from an ankle issue.

Angers are also light on options for their backline, with Cedric Hountondji last featuring in the middle of October before sustaining a thigh injury.

Le SCO's offensive line has also been restricted recently by the absence of Sidiki Cherif, with the youngster spending over two months in the visitors' medical room.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Pembele, Kinkoue, Lloris; Sabbi, Kuzyaev, Kechta, Operi; Casimir, Soumare, Ayew

Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Arcus, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Aholou, Belkebla, Allevinah, Abdelli, El Melali; Niane

We say: Le Havre 1-1 Angers

After a morale-boosting win at Nantes last time out, Le Havre should be confident of putting Angers to the sword on home soil this weekend.

That being said, Angers have been improved of late despite back-to-back defeats recently, so we expect Le SCO to collect a point on Sunday afternoon.


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