Le Havre vs. Nice Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 16 February 2025 - bettingexpert
We’re set for an intriguing Ligue 1 clash as 17th-placed Le Havre host 3rd-placed Nice at Stade Oceane this Sunday at 16:15. With both teams aiming to solidify their positions for contrasting reasons, there’s plenty at stake. Le Havre, just above the relegation zone, will hope to build on their recent 2-1 win over Lille, while Nice, under Franck Haise, aim to maintain their title challenge.
Didier Digard’s Le Havre comes into this match with momentum but faces a potent Nice side led by Evann Guessand, who has netted 9 goals this season. Despite being the bookmakers’ underdogs with odds of 5.13, Le Havre has a strong home record against Nice. Buoyed by their win over Lille, they could spring a surprise.
With the weather not available and referee Stephanie Frappart officiating, expect a competitive game. Mohamed-Ali Cho, a standout for Nice and reportedly scouted by Liverpool, remains a player to watch. Our match tip? Back Le Havre for an upset victory at odds of 5.5.
Enjoy the match and may your bets bring you success!
Le Havre vs Nice Prediction & Betting Tip
| Le Havre vs Nice Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Le Havre to win | 5.5 |
- Le Havre has an impressive home record against Nice, with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 0 defeats at Stade Oceane.
- Despite being in the relegation zone, Le Havre recently secured a crucial morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Lille.
- Nice has key players suspended (Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Hichem Boudaoui), which could hamper their performance.
Le Havre vs Nice Odds
| Le Havre vs Nice Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Le Havre | 5.13 |
| Draw | 3.91 |
| Nice | 1.64 |
Nice, the bookmaker’s favourite, is tipped at 1.64, reflecting their strong season and third-place league position. On the other hand, Le Havre is seen as the underdog with odds of 5.13, but their recent victory over Lille may suggest an upset. The odds for a draw stand at 3.91, indicating it’s a feasible outcome given both teams’ recent form.
Le Havre Team Analysis
Le Havre Recent Performance
Le Havre have shown patchy form in their last five matches, producing a mix of results that places them just above the relegation zone.
Here’s a quick look at their recent outings:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Lille | Le Havre | 1-2 (Win) |
| Angers | Le Havre | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Le Havre | Brest | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Reims | Le Havre | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Le Havre | Lens | 1-2 (Loss) |
Le Havre have managed to score an average of 1.00 goals per game in their last five but have struggled defensively, with no clean sheets in this span. Their recent 2-1 victory over Lille was a notable high point and could provide a much-needed morale boost going into the clash against Nice. However, maintaining this momentum will be crucial, especially at home where they have historically fared well against Nice.
Le Havre Key Players
Le Havre has some noteworthy players who could play pivotal roles in this match. André Ayew, their top scorer with 3 goals, will look to make an impact. The experienced Ghanaian forward is known for his clutch performances, and he could be a handful for Nice’s defense.
Their expected lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Mathieu Gorgelin
- Defenders: Loïc Nego, Gautier Lloris, Étienne Youte Kinkoue, Yanis Zouaoui
- Midfielders: Junior Mwanga, Josué Casimir, Yassine Kechta, Mahamadou Diawara, Issa Soumaré
- Attacker: Ahmed Hassan
Watch for the midfield duel between Yassine Kechta and Baptiste Santamaria of Nice, which could be key in determining the game’s flow.
Le Havre Suspensions & Injuries
Le Havre is facing a tough situation with several key players sidelined due to injuries. This could significantly affect their performance against Nice, especially given their current position in the relegation zone.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Bayo | Sprained ankle | Late May 2024 |
| Yann Kitala | Ankle injury | Late February 2025 |
| Elysee Logbo | Shoulder injury | Early March 2025 |
| Abdoulaye Toure | Broken rib | Late February 2025 |
| Fode Ballo-Toure | Ankle injury | Late February 2025 |
| Antoine Joujou | Ankle injury | Early March 2025 |
With these absences, Coach Didier Digard will need to strategise carefully and rely on his available squad members to step up and fill the gaps. The return of some players later this month might provide a timely boost for their upcoming matches.
Le Havre Tactics and Formation
Le Havre Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Key Forward: Ahmed Hassan
- Midfield Setup: Josué Casimir, Yassine Kechta, Junior Mwanga, Issa Soumaré
- Defensive Line: Loic Nego, Gautier Lloris, Étienne Youte Kinkoue, Yanis Zouaoui
- Goalkeeper: Mathieu Gorgelin
Le Havre has been adhering to a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on a balanced approach. They rely heavily on Ahmed Hassan to spearhead the attack, supported by a solid midfield. Their notable strategy is to push forward during the 61-75 minute interval, where they score the most goals. However, with no clean sheets in the last five games, their defensive stability remains an area of concern. Coach Didier Digard will need to work on tightening the backline while continuing to leverage their midfield creativity.
Nice Team Analysis
Nice Recent Performance
Let’s look at Nice’s last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nice | Lens | 2-0 (Win) |
| Stade Briochin | Nice | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Toulouse | Nice | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Nice | Bodoe/Glimt | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Nice | Marseille | 2-0 (Win) |
Nice have been in solid form recently with a record of WLDDW. They have managed to score an average of 1.40 goals per game in their last five outings, while also keeping 2 clean sheets.
Their defense could tighten up a bit, seeing that they tend to concede 1.3 goals on average this season. However, their attack is consistently finding the net, scoring in 82% of their away matches.
Despite some key injuries and suspensions, Nice remains a formidable side under Franck Haise’s guidance.
Nice Key Players
Expected lineup for Nice:
- Goalkeeper: Marcin Bulka
- Defenders: Mohamed Abdelmonem, Dante, Moise Bombito
- Midfielders: Jonathan Clauss, Baptiste Santamaria, Tanguy NDombèlé, Melvin Bard
- Attackers: Evann Guessand, Mohamed Ali Cho, Gaëtan Laborde
Key players for Nice include Evann Guessand, who has been prolific with 9 goals this season. His battle against Le Havre’s defense, particularly Gautier Lloris, will be one to watch.
Veteran defender Dante will look to fortify the backline against Le Havre’s forwards. He combines experience with strategic positioning, helping mitigate the threat posed by Ahmed Hassan.
Jonathan Clauss provides critical support from the midfield, contributing to both defense and attack, making him another key player in Nice’s lineup. Keep an eye on these players as they could significantly influence the outcome of the match!
Nice Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Terem Moffi | Cruciate ligament injury | Early April 2025 |
| Morgan Sanson | Ankle injury | Late February 2025 |
| Pablo Rosario | Unknown | Late February 2025 |
| <br> | ||
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
| —————– | —————- | ——————— |
| Youssouf Ndayishimiye | Yellow cards | 1 match left |
| Hicham Boudaoui | Yellow cards | 1 match left |
| <br> | ||
| Nice will be missing some key players for this match. Terem Moffi, a significant attacking threat, is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, which will hamper their forward options. The absence of Morgan Sanson and Pablo Rosario will weaken the midfield, affecting their control and distribution. |
Furthermore, suspensions for Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Hicham Boudaoui will challenge Nice’s defensive stability and midfield depth. These absences could negatively impact their performance against a determined Le Havre side.
Nice Tactics and Formation
Nice’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 5-2-3
- Key Forward: Gaëtan Laborde
- Midfield Dynamics:
- Tanguy NDombèlé and Baptiste Santamaria combine to control the tempo, distribute play, and provide defensive cover.
- Defensive Structure:
- Part of a back three featuring the experienced Dante at its core, flanked by Mohamed Abdelmonem and Moise Bombito.
- Notable Strategy:
- Known for their attacking play early in matches, scoring most of their goals in the 16-30-minute interval.
- The dynamic wingbacks, Jonathan Clauss and Melvin Bard, will look to exploit the flanks and provide width.
- Challenges:
- With key midfielders like Boudaoui and Ndayishimiye suspended, their defensive and midfield stability will be tested.
Le Havre vs Nice Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nice | Le Havre | 2-1 |
| Nice | Le Havre | 1-0 |
| Le Havre | Nice | 3-1 |
| Nice | Le Havre | 0-0 |
| Nice | Le Havre | 1-0 |
In their last five meetings, Nice has had the upper hand with three wins, while Le Havre managed just one victory and a draw.
These recent encounters show that Nice typically edges ahead, but Le Havre’s home advantage might level the playing field.
Odds accurate as of 14/02/2025 16:17, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
