Marseille hoping to finish in European qualifying places on D-day.

2024-09-22

In a crucial clash at Stade Océane on Sunday evening, Le Havre aim to break their six-game losing streak against Olympique Marseille and avoid a historic seventh consecutive defeat while the visitors seek a victory to fuel their fading hopes of European qualification.

Le Havre

Le Havre are coming off a 1-0 loss against Nice, with an early strike from Jeremie Boga [12’] ending their two-game unbeaten run [LLDWL]. They currently sit in 15th place with 32 points [7W, 11D, & 15L], three points ahead of 16th-placed Metz, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.

Barring a 12-goal swing in goal difference when Metz take on PSG on Sunday, Le Havre's failure to earn a point won't endanger their top-flight status. However, they aim to break an unfavourable head-to-head record, having lost their last six Ligue 1 matches against Marseille.

Another defeat would see them lose seven consecutive matches against the same team in the top-flight for the first time in club history, a record they are keen to avoid. Luka Elsner might deploy a 4—2—3—1 formation against Marseille, featuring André Ayew in attack. Meanwhile, Yassine Kechta will miss the game due to accumulated yellow cards.

Olympique Marseille

Olympique Marseille's four-game unbeaten run [DDWWL] was snapped with a 1-0 defeat to Stade de Reims in mid-week. Currently, Les Olympiens hold 47 points [12W, 11D, & 9L] and sit in 8th place, trailing sixth-placed Lens by three points. To secure a European qualifying spot, Marseille needs to win and hope for favourable results elsewhere.

Historically, OM boasts an impressive record against Le Havre, remaining unbeaten in their last nine visits [5W, 4D, 0L]. The last time they lost away to the hosts was back in 1990. Remarkably, Jean-Louis Gasset's squad has only suffered one loss in their last ten Ligue 1 season finales [6W, 3D, & 1L], excluding the 2019-20 season curtailed by COVID-19.

Marseille, with a tally of 50 league goals this season, should feel confident against Le Havre, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in 19 of their last 20 games. Jean-Louis Gasset, whose future at the club is uncertain, might stick with the 3-5-2 formation used against Reims, featuring Ismaïla Sarr and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upfront. Unfortunately, Valentin Rongier remains sidelined due to a knee injury until late May.