MX23RW : Friday, December 20 16:26:54| >> :120:29265:29265:
[monks data]
Le Havre
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 1
Aug 16, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Stade Oceane
PSG logo

Le Havre
1 - 4
PSG

Lloris (48')
Youte Kinkoue (15'), Joujou (45+3'), Lloris (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kang-in (3'), Dembele (85'), Barcola (86'), Kolo (90' pen.)

Preview: Le Havre vs. Paris Saint-Germain - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Ligue 1 clash between Le Havre and Paris Saint-Germain, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In the opening game of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, Le Havre take on champions Paris Saint-Germain, who embark on their first season without Kylian Mbappe since 2016-17, at Stade Oceane on Friday.

The home side stayed in the top flight by the skin of their teeth after finishing with 32 points in 15th place, just three points clear of relegated Metz, while the visitors won their third consecutive title.


Match preview

Head coach Didier Digard of Le Havre AC gestures during the pre-season friendly match between AZ and Le Havre AC at AFAS Stadion on July 31, 2024 [on August 14, 2024]© Imago

While the hosts only finished one place above the relegation playoff spot, they will have been delighted with their final placement considering last season was their first back in the top flight in 14 years.

The final four games of the 2023-24 league season were particularly tense given Le Havre lost 1-0 to Metz on April 21, though a draw against PSG and a win against Strasbourg in the next two games were key to their survival.

Le Club Doyen ended their first campaign back in Ligue 1 with a record of 34 goals scored and 45 conceded, and of the 18 sides in the division, this made them the 16th best offensive and eighth-best defensive team.

However, if they are to survive for a second consecutive season, then they will have to do so without former manager Luka Elsner, who left the club for Reims in late June.

New boss Didier Digard is just 37 years old, and his only previous top-flight job was with Nice from January 2023 until June 2023, though he did start his playing career at Le Havre in 2003.

Le Club Doyen have lost 14 of their previous 22 Ligue 1 games at Stade Oceane, and kept just four clean sheets in this period.

Borussia Dortmund's Julian Ryerson in action with Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo Ramos and Fabian Ruiz on May 7, 2024© Reuters

Opponents PSG come into the match off the back of a mixed 2023-24 campaign, as while they won their 10th league title from the last 12 seasons, they once again failed to win the Champions League.

Their 2-0 aggregate loss in the semi-final against Borussia Dortmund, who had a particularly poor domestic season considering they finished fifth in the Bundesliga, is a significant mark against boss Luis Enrique.

To make matters worse, Enrique enters into 2024-25 without star forward Kylian Mbappe, whose protracted departure from the club was finally confirmed when he signed for Real Madrid earlier this summer.

It is difficult to argue that the visitors improved on their 2022-23 showing when their Ligue 1 points per game record of 2.24 last term was practically identical to their record in 2022-23.

Having scored 81 goals last term, PSG were by far the best attacking team in the division, with Monaco ranking second in this metric after only scoring 68 times.

However, though they only conceded 33 times this was four more than Nice and only one fewer than both Brest and Lille.

Le Havre friendly form:


Paris Saint-Germain friendly form:
  • D
  • D


Team News

Bradley Barcola (left winger of Paris Saint Germain) in action during the match RB Leipzig vs Paris Saint Germain on August 8, 2024  [on August 14, 2024]© Imago

The hosts will have to once again contend with the absence of forward Andy Logbo, who has not featured since November due to a cruciate ligament tear.

Le Havre could start signing Yanis Zouaoui at left-back, and he could be accompanied in defence by Gautier Lloris, Etienne Youte Kinkoue and Arouna Sangante.

As for the visitors, they have concerns about defender Lucas Beraldo after he was forced off against Sturm Graz in a pre-season friendly on August 7.

PSG could also be without Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele due to fitness issues.

Elsewhere, signing Willian Pacho could come into the starting lineup and make his competitive debut for PSG against Le Havre, either at centre-back or at left-back given his familiarity with both roles.

Manuel Ugarte could also sit out of the match given he has often been out of favour with Enrique and is the subject of interest from Manchester United.


Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Sangante, Kinkoue, Lloris, Zouaoui; Diawara, Toure; Casimir, Kuzyaev, Joujou; Ngoura

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Soler, Skriniar, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Neves, Asensio; Barcola, Muani, Mbaye


SM words green background

We say: Le Havre 0-4 Paris Saint-Germain

Although Le Havre did draw with PSG near the end of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season, it is difficult to see how they can overcome the French champions on Friday.

Even without Mbappe, it would not be surprising to see Les Parisiens score multiple goals and open the campaign in resounding fashion.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:550328:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10338:
Written by
Lewis Nolan

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Le Havre vs PSG

Le Havre
Draw
Paris Saint-Germain
Le Havre
11.4%
Draw
9.1%
Paris Saint-Germain
79.5%
88
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire pictured in March 2024
Read Next:
Heading for Serie A? Man United 'contacted' by Napoli over deal for 27-year-old
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Broncos
27-34
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG16124044143040
2Marseille1593332181430
3MonacoMonaco1693426161030
4Lille1576225151027
5Lyon157442720725
6Nice156632819924
7Lens156631914524
8Auxerre156362323021
9Toulouse156361717021
10Reims155552018220
11Brest156182427-319
12Rennes155282020017
13StrasbourgStrasbourg154562527-217
14NantesNantes153571724-714
15Angers153481426-1213
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1541101234-2213
17Le HavreLe Havre1540111129-1812
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1523101538-239


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!