Le Havre vs. Rennes Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 13 April 2025 - bettingexpert

On the 13th of April, 2025, at 16:15, Le Havre will host Rennes at the Stade Océane for a crucial Ligue 1 showdown. As we enter Round 29 of the competition, both teams are keen on securing vital points. Although Le Havre sits 15th with 27 points, a win could bolster their fight against relegation. Meanwhile, Rennes, positioned 12th with 32 points, are looking to climb higher in the mid-table shuffle.

Recent form suggests Le Havre have been scoring well, with an average of 2.4 goals per game in their last five matches. However, their defense remains a concern, having conceded most goals between the 76th and 90th minute this season. On the other hand, Rennes have shown a solid balance, keeping two clean sheets in their last five games and narrowly edging out Le Havre in their last encounter.

Willy Delajod, the referee for this match, has officiated 15 games this season, awarding five penalties and averaging 4.1 yellow cards per game. Both teams will need to be mindful of discipline.

Given their recent form and standings, Rennes is the bookmaker’s favourite to win, with odds standing at 2.08 for a victory. Considering Le Havre’s shaky defense, our match tip also recommends betting on a Rennes win.

With the weather conditions expected to be favourable, this match promises to be an intriguing clash, adding another chapter to the season’s narrative.

Le Havre vs Rennes Prediction & Betting tip

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Le Havre’s defense has been shaky, conceding an average of 2 goals per game this season. Rennes secured a narrow win in their last encounter against Le Havre, which was an away game.

Le Havre vs Rennes Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Rennes to win	2.08
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• Rennes have better odds and a stronger position in the league standings compared to Le Havre.
• Le Havre’s defense has been shaky, conceding an average of 2 goals per game this season.
• Rennes secured a narrow win in their last encounter against Le Havre, which was an away game.

Le Havre vs Rennes Odds

The betting odds for this Ligue 1 clash favor Rennes, reflecting their stronger position in the standings and recent form. Let’s take a look at the odds:

Le Havre vs Rennes Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Le Havre	3.52
Draw	3.40
Rennes	2.08

Rennes, positioned 12th with five points more than Le Havre in 15th, are the bookmakers’ favorite. Le Havre, struggling defensively, have lower odds for a win.

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• Le Havre’s shaky defense, conceding an average of 2 goals per game, contributes to their lower odds.
• Rennes’ recent narrow win against Le Havre adds weight to their favorite status.

Le Havre Team Analysis

Le Havre Recent Performance

Le Havre have been showing some spirited performances recently, with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five games. Here’s a quick look at how they’ve fared:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Montpellier	Le Havre	2025-04-06	Ligue 1	0-2 (Win)
Le Havre	Nantes	2025-03-30	Ligue 1	3-2 (Win)
Lyon	Le Havre	2025-03-16	Ligue 1	4-2 (Loss)
Le Havre	Saint-Etienne	2025-03-09	Ligue 1	1-1 (Draw)
Lens	Le Havre	2025-03-01	Ligue 1	3-4 (Win)

Recent Form: WWLDW
Le Havre have scored an average of 2.4 goals per game in their last five matches, showcasing their offensive capabilities. However, they have only kept one clean sheet, indicating some defensive vulnerabilities. With 27 points, they are looking to secure crucial points to stay out of the relegation zone. Didier Digard’s men will need to tighten their defense as they have been conceding an average of two goals per game this season.

Le Havre Key Players

Le Havre has a few standout performers who could make a difference in this game. Abdoulaye Toure has been their most consistent goal-scorer this season with 8 goals. His ability to find the net will be crucial as Le Havre aims to improve their position in the table.

Another key player to watch is Ahmed Hassan, who has been a reliable force up front. In midfield, Junior Mwanga and Yassine Kechta have shown good form, contributing both defensively and offensively.

The defense will be anchored by the experienced Gautier Lloris and Arouna Sangante, who need to step up to avoid conceding late goals, a recurring issue for Le Havre this season.

Expected lineup for Le Havre:

• Goalkeeper: Mathieu Gorgelin
• Defenders: Loic Nego, Arouna Sangante, Gautier Lloris, Timothée Pembélé
• Midfielders: Abdoulaye Toure, Junior Mwanga, Josué Casimir, Yassine Kechta, Antoine Joujou
• Forward: Ahmed Hassan

Le Havre Suspensions & Injuries

Le Havre will be missing key players due to injuries, which could impact their performance against Rennes. Here’s the current status of their injured players:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Mohamed Bayo	Sprained ankle	Late May 2024
Elysee Logbo	Shoulder injury	Late April 2025

The absence of Mohamed Bayo, a critical attacking option, means the team may struggle to find the back of the net against a solid Rennes defense. Elysee Logbo’s unavailability also weakens their defensive depth, emphasizing the need for other squad members to step up in his absence.

Le Havre Tactics and Formation

Le Havre Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Ahmed Hassan
• Midfield Trio: Abdoulaye Toure, Junior Mwanga, Yassine Kechta
• Defenders: Loic Nego, Arouna Sangante, Gautier Lloris, Timothée Pembélé
• Defensive Challenges: 1 clean sheet in the last 5 games, conceding mostly in the 76-90 minute interval
• Notable Strategy: Emphasizing possession and pressing in the midfield

Le Havre will look to control possession with their solid midfield duo of Toure and Mwanga, who are crucial in both disrupting the opponent’s play and initiating attacks.
Offensively, they will rely on the pace and creativity of Kechta in the attacking midfield role, along with the wings of Casimir and Joujou to support Hassan upfront.
Defensively, the onus will be on the back four to stay compact and avoid late-game lapses, which have been a recurring issue.

Rennes Team Analysis

Rennes Recent Performance

Here’s a closer look at Rennes’ recent performance:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Rennes	Auxerre	2025-04-06	Ligue 1	0-1 (Loss)
Angers	Rennes	2025-03-30	Ligue 1	0-3 (Win)
Lens	Rennes	2025-03-15	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)
Rennes	Paris Saint-Germain	2025-03-08	Ligue 1	1-4 (Loss)
Montpellier	Rennes	2025-03-02	Ligue 1	0-4 (Win)

Rennes’ recent run has been a mix of highs and lows, showing inconsistent form lately.
They have secured two dominant away wins against Angers and Montpellier, scoring a combined 7 goals while conceding none in these victories.
However, the team has faced challenges, suffering defeats against Auxerre, Lens, and the formidable Paris Saint-Germain. Rennes have managed to keep 2 clean sheets in their last 5 games and average 1.60 goals scored per game during this period.
Their defensive issues seem evident, having conceded 6 goals in their last 3 losses.

Rennes Key Players

Expected lineup for Rennes:

• Goalkeeper: Brice Samba
• Defenders: Hans Hateboer, Anthony Rouault, Lilian Brassier
• Midfielders: Lorenz Assignon, Seko Fofana, Djaoui Cisse, Adrien Truffert
• Attackers: Kazeem Olaigbe, Mohamed Kader Meïté, Arnaud Kalimuendo

Key figures to watch are:

• Arnaud Kalimuendo: With 13 goals this season, he’s Rennes’ top scorer and a vital attacking threat. His duel with Le Havre’s centre-backs could be pivotal.
• Seko Fofana: As a central midfielder, Fofana’s ability to control the game and distribute effectively will be crucial.

Expect Kalimuendo to challenge Le Havre’s defence and Fofana to dominate the midfield battles. This mix of star power and tactical nous makes Rennes a formidable opponent.

Rennes Suspensions & Injuries

Player	Injury	Expected return
Alidu Seidu	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Dogan Alemdar	Cruciate ligament injury	Late April 2025
Carlos Andres Gomez	Ankle injury	Late April 2025
Ludovic Blas	Thigh injury	Late April 2025

Rennes are dealing with a significant number of injuries, particularly in their defensive lineup. Alidu Seidu’s season-ending cruciate ligament injury is a substantial blow, reducing their defensive depth. The absences of Alemdar, Gomez, and Blas further challenge their squad depth. This might force coach Habib Beye to rely on his bench and rotate players more frequently. This could impact Rennes’ fluidity and stability on the pitch, offering Le Havre potential opportunities to exploit any defensive frailties.

Rennes Tactics and Formation

Rennes Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Arnaud Kalimuendo, their top scorer with 13 goals this season
• Midfield Strength:
  • Right Central Midfielder: Seko Fofana, strong in both defense and attack
  • Djaoui Cisse complementing with solid performances
  • Wingbacks: Lorenz Assignon and Adrien Truffert providing width and pace on the flanks
• Defensive Structure: Three at the back, with Hans Hateboer, Anthony Rouault, and Lilian Brassier forming a reliable unit
• Notable Strategy: Quick transitions and counter-attacks with a high pressing game

The formation allows for flexibility in both defense and attack, aiming to exploit spaces on the wings and capitalize on quick breaks.

Le Havre vs Rennes Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Rennes	Le Havre	2024-10-25	Ligue 1	1-0 (Win)
Le Havre	Rennes	2024-02-11	Ligue 1	0-1 (Loss)
Rennes	Le Havre	2023-08-27	Ligue 1	2-2 (Draw)
Rennes	Le Havre	2021-07-10	Friendlies	2-2 (Draw)
Le Havre	Rennes	2015-07-08	Friendlies	2-1 (Win)

In the last five meetings, Rennes have had the upper hand with two wins and two draws, while Le Havre managed a single win.
Rennes’ wins have been narrow, showcasing closely matched contests.
Their most recent encounter saw Rennes win 1-0, highlighting their slight edge in recent form.

Odds accurate as of 11 April 2025, 16:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.