Lyon vs. Le Havre Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 16 March 2025 - bettingexpert
This Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash at Groupama Stadium sees Lyon host Le Havre in what promises to be a highly engaging encounter. Referee Bastien Dechepy will officiate the match, which kicks off at 14:00.
Lyon, sitting 6th in the league with 42 points, comes into the game in stellar form, highlighted by recent convincing wins, including a 4-0 thrashing of FC FCSB in the Europa League. Le Havre, currently 16th with 21 points, has had a bumpy ride lately, struggling defensively with no clean sheets in their last five matches.
Expect Lyon to dominate early, as they’ve scored in 75% of their home games this season and defeated Le Havre 4-0 in their previous meeting. Given the odds, Lyon is clearly the favourite to seize an early advantage and secure the three points.
Lyon vs Le Havre Prediction & Betting Tip
Lyon is favoured to dominate the first half against Le Havre. Given their stellar home scoring record and Le Havre’s defensive struggles, betting on Lyon to lead the first half seems like a smart move.
| Lyon vs Le Havre Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Lyon to lead at halftime | 1.80 |
- Lyon has scored in 75% of their home matches this season.
- Le Havre has conceded in every Ligue 1 match since November.
- Lyon defeated Le Havre with a 1-0 halftime lead in their last encounter.
Lyon vs Le Havre Odds
Fans of Ligue 1 football will be keen to know the odds for the upcoming match between Lyon and Le Havre. The bookmakers have made Lyon the clear favourites to secure a win, reflecting their superior form and position in the league.
| Lyon vs Le Havre Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Lyon | 1.36 |
| Draw | 5.15 |
| Le Havre | 7.68 |
Lyon’s odds to win suggest a strong expectation for them to claim victory, particularly given their recent impressive performances. However, for those looking for riskier bets, a draw or an upset by Le Havre could offer substantial returns.
With Lyon having scored in 80% of their matches this season and Le Havre’s ongoing defensive issues, the odds certainly seem well-justified.
Lyon Team Analysis
Lyon Recent Performance
Lyon have been on a roll recently, stringing together some impressive performances. Here’s a look at their last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | FC FCSB | 2025-03-13 | Europa League | 4-0 (Win) |
| Nice | Lyon | 2025-03-09 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Win) |
| FC FCSB | Lyon | 2025-03-06 | Europa League | 1-3 (Win) |
| Lyon | Brest | 2025-03-02 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Lyon | PSG | 2025-02-23 | Ligue 1 | 2-3 (Loss) |
Lyon have scored an average of 2.60 goals in their last five games while maintaining two clean sheets. This attacking prowess has been on full display recently, especially in the thumping Europa League win against FC FCSB. With points to prove in their quest for a Champions League spot, Lyon’s form is formidable going into their clash with Le Havre.
Lyon Key Players
Lyon boast several standout players who will be crucial in this encounter. Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon’s top scorer with 9 goals, is always a threat, especially given Le Havre’s defense has been leaky all season. Thiago Almada, expected to play on the right wing, brings creativity and flair, and his link-up play with Lacazette will be something to watch. Nemanja Matic anchors the midfield with his defensive savvy, providing balance to allow Corentin Tolisso to venture forward.
Expected lineup for Lyon:
- Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
- Defenders: Saël Kumbedi, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, Nicolas Tagliafico
- Midfielders: Nemanja Matic, Tanner Tessmann, Thiago Almada, Corentin Tolisso, Malick Fofana
- Forward: Alexandre Lacazette
Key individual battles, such as Lacazette vs Le Havre’s Étienne Youte Kinkoue, will be crucial in determining the game’s outcome.
Lyon Suspensions & Injuries
Lyon has no suspensions or injuries to report for this match. This means that the team will be at full strength, allowing Paulo Ferreira to have a wide selection of players and tactical options. Having everybody available could be crucial as Lyon aims to secure three points and maintain their push for a top-four finish in Ligue 1.
Having a full squad is a significant advantage, especially against a defensively shaky Le Havre side. This should allow Lyon to deploy their strongest lineup and maintain crucial momentum.
Lyon Tactics and Formation
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
- Defenders: Saël Kumbedi, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, Nicolas Tagliafico
- Midfielders: Nemanja Matic, Tanner Tessmann, Thiago Almada, Corentin Tolisso, Malick Fofana
- Forward: Alexandre Lacazette
Lyon will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been their preferred setup recently. This formation strikes a balance between defense and attack, allowing them to cover more ground efficiently.
In midfield, Matic and Tessmann will aim to control the game, breaking up Le Havre’s play and distributing the ball to attacking midfielders Almada, Tolisso, and Fofana.
Lacazette, their top scorer, will spearhead the attack, exploiting spaces behind Le Havre’s defense. The defensive unit, featuring two clean sheets in their last five games, will look to remain solid and support counter-attacks.
Le Havre Team Analysis
Le Havre Recent Performance
Le Havre’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with their last five results showing a blend of performances: a draw, two losses, and two wins. They’ve managed to score an average of 1.80 goals in these matches, but their defense has been leaky, failing to secure any clean sheets.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Havre | Saint-Etienne | 2025-03-09 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Lens | Le Havre | 2025-03-01 | Ligue 1 | 3-4 (Win) |
| Le Havre | Toulouse | 2025-02-23 | Ligue 1 | 1-4 (Loss) |
| Le Havre | Nice | 2025-02-16 | Ligue 1 | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Lille | Le Havre | 2025-02-08 | Ligue 1 | 1-2 (Win) |
Despite their struggles at the back, Le Havre’s attacking talents, led by Andre Ayew, keep them competitive. However, they’ll need to tighten up defensively if they hope to climb out of the lower standings.
Le Havre Key Players
Le Havre’s hopes in this clash will rest heavily on the shoulders of their top scorer, André Ayew, who has netted 4 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net could be crucial against a resilient Lyon defense.
Expected lineup for Le Havre:
- Goalkeeper: Mathieu Gorgelin
- Defenders: Loïc Nego, Étienne Youte Kinkoue, Gautier Lloris, Yanis Zouaoui
- Midfielders: Abdoulaye Touré, Josué Casimir, Mahamadou Diawara, Yassine Kechta, Issa Soumaré
- Forward: Ahmed Hassan
Key individual battles will include Ahmed Hassan challenging Lyon’s central defenders Clinton Mata and Moussa Niakhaté, while Ayew will look to exploit any spaces left by the Lyon defense. Given Le Havre’s defensive vulnerabilities, strong performances will be required from their midfield to curb Lyon’s attacking threats.
Le Havre Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Bayo | Sprained ankle | Late May 2024 |
| Elysee Logbo | Shoulder injury | Late March 2025 |
| Arouna Sangante | Back injury | Late March 2025 |
| Fode Ballo-Toure | Back injury | 1-2 weeks |
Le Havre are dealing with several key injuries that could significantly impact their performance against Lyon. Mohamed Bayo and Elysee Logbo are ruled out until late March, missing the immediate future games.
Arouna Sangante and Fode Ballo-Toure’s back injuries are also a concern, especially given the potential return is not exactly clear. These absences may force coach Didier Digard to shuffle his lineup, particularly in defence and midfield, weakening their resistance against Lyon’s attacking prowess.
Le Havre Tactics and Formation
Le Havre’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-5-1
- Key Forward: Ahmed Hassan
- Midfield Quintet: Josué Casimir, Mahamadou Diawara, Abdoulaye Toure, Yassine Kechta, Issa Soumaré
- Defensive Line: Loic Nego, Étienne Youte Kinkoue, Gautier Lloris, Yanis Zouaoui
Le Havre tends to rely heavily on a reinforced midfield, aiming to control and disrupt Lyon’s attacking rhythm. Their defensive strategy focuses on compactness with a backline shielded by Abdoulaye Toure. This approach is designed to mitigate the attacking threat of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette. However, with Ballo-Toure and Sangante’s injuries, their defensive stability could be a concern. Coach Didier Digard might need to rework positions to cover the gaps, potentially weakening their overall setup.
Lyon vs Le Havre Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Havre | Lyon | 2024-10-20 | Ligue 1 | 0-4 (Win) |
| Le Havre | Lyon | 2024-01-14 | Ligue 1 | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Lyon | Le Havre | 2023-09-17 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Lyon | Le Havre | 2009-02-15 | Ligue 1 | 3-1 (Win) |
| Le Havre | Lyon | 2008-09-20 | Ligue 1 | 0-1 (Win) |
Lyon has generally had the upper hand in their recent encounters, enjoying three wins and one draw in the last five meetings.
They’ll look to continue this trend, particularly dominating in their last clash with an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Odds accurate as of 14th March 2025, 2:02 PM, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
