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Match Live Friday, 20th October at 8:00 pm In:
Le Havre vs Lens Predictions
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A Tidal Clash in Ligue 1
Key Stats
– Le Havre have failed to register a win against Lens in their last seven encounters.
– Both teams have conceded 25 goals combined in their Ligue 1 campaign this season.
Lens, rejuvenated after a significant recovery ahead of the October international break, are gearing up for an intriguing clash on Friday as they are welcomed by Le Havre, the Ligue 1 newcomers at the Stade Oceane.
Despite the momentous efforts of Les Sang et Or, securing a comeback to earn a 1-1 tie against Lille recently, Le Havre’s fresh entrants to Ligue 1 face a daunting task. Their recent away defeat, a 3-0 drubbing at Marseille’s hands, coupled with the 2-0 home loss against Lille, underscores the challenges they’ve been facing.
While Le Havre grapples with their October woes, Lens are slowly rediscovering their old spark. A nail-biting encounter against Lille witnessed Lens repeatedly foiled by Lucas Chevalier, the Dogues’ primary custodian. The match ended with a last-minute surprise from Lens’ Deiver Machado, who equalised following an error from Lille’s goalkeeper.
Peeling Back the Layers
For Le Havre, whose recent performances have been marred by losses, their drop to the 13th position in the standings is indicative of a challenging season ahead. Yet, they still have a six-point safety net from automatic relegation.
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Lens, on the other hand, have been weaving their magic in the Champions League. Their draw against Lille added to their unbeaten run in five consecutive matches across all competitions. However, their previous head-to-head record against Le Havre could be a cause for concern, having not registered a win in their last seven encounters.
The Key Players: Duel of Titans
Lens, buoyed by the likes of Ayanda Sishuba and Florian Sotoca, who have average expert ratings of 7.60 and 7.38 respectively, will be looking to exploit Le Havre’s recent defensive frailties. Notably, Nabil Alioui, Le Havre’s top scorer, with four goals this season, stands as their main attacking threat.
With players like Daler Kuzyaev and Mohamed Bayo sidelined, Le Havre will need their other key players to step up. Similarly, Lens, despite Machado’s recent heroics, will miss Elye Wahi due to a yellow card accumulation.
Battle in the Midfield
Considering the styles of play, Le Havre’s average ball possession stands at 40.9% while Lens enjoys a majority of 52%. This difference indicates that the central battlefield could be the defining area of the match. Le Havre will aim to disrupt Lens’ rhythm, given their higher ball possession and passing accuracy.
Areas for Improvement
Le Havre must strengthen their defence. With 12 goals conceded in just 8 matches, tightening up at the back will be crucial. Their attack, while decent, needs to be more clinical, given their 10.3 shots per game but only an average of 1.3 goals.
Lens, although possessing a better attack, must be wary of their defensive lapses, which have led to 13 goals conceded. Their midfield, while robust, should focus on providing better support to both defence and attack.
Predictions
1. Both Teams to Score: Both teams have exhibited vulnerabilities at the back. Given their recent forms, it’s likely both will find the back of the net.
2. Correct Score Prediction: Based on the current form and performances, a 2-1 victory for Lens seems plausible.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Nabil Alioui, given his current form with 4 goals, seems poised to score for Le Havre. For Lens, Ayanda Sishuba stands as the likely candidate.
4. First Half Result: Lens, with their momentum, might take the lead in the first half, possibly with a 1-0 scoreline.
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