Le Havre vs Brest Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
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When is Le Havre vs Brest on and what time does it start? Le Havre vs Brest will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Le Havre vs Brest? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Le Havre vs Brest on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Le Havre vs Brest
Where can I stream Le Havre vs Brest in the UK? If Le Havre vs Brest is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LE HAVRE
Following promotion back to the top-flight last season for the first time since 2008, Le club doyen began the 2023/24 season with a creditable 2-2 draw away to Montpellier. Under the management of former Standard Liege boss Luka Elsner, the aim for this season will simply be to avoid falling straight back down into the second-tier.
In that aforementioned 2-2 draw with Montpellier, Le Havre took an early fifth minute lead but Montpellier turned it around with a quick-fire brace from Akor Adams mid-way through the second-half. Le Havre equalised in the 90th minute, though, with Samuel Grandsir scoring.
BREST
Stade Brest come into this on the back of an entertaining start to the Ligue 1 campaign with a 3-2 win at home to Lens. Lens, who finished second last season, made an excellent start with two goals in 22 minutes putting them two goals to the good but Brest managed to get back level through a Romain Del Castillo penalty and Kenny Lala equaliser. Lens’ Adrien Thomasson was then sent off in the 82nd minute before Romain Del Castillo completed a match-winning brace of penalties five minutes later.
The visitors will be one of a clutch of sides to be concerned about Ligue 1 reducing in size from 20 to 18 teams this season as the competitiveness will be strong in the bottom-half of the table. Their 14th placed finish last season will not be as comfortable as it was last year this year.
THE TEAM NEWS
LE HAVRE
Luka Elsner’s preferred formation is a 5-3-2 system and given it worked in collecting a point against Montpellier and the fact they have a fully fit and available squad, Elsner is likely to name an unchanged side for this weekend’s clash at home to Stade Brest.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Desmas; Casimir, Lloris, Sangante, Salmier, Nego; Ndiaye, Targhaline, Kuzyayev; Soumare, Alioui
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BREST
Unlike their opposition, Stade Brest do have one injury concern with new signing Adrien Lebeau out injured. Eric Roy didn’t have him available last weekend so is expected to name an unchanged side from the team that surprisingly defeated Lens by three goals to two.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Magnetti, Lees-Melou; Pereira Lage, Del Castillo, Le Douaron; Satriano
UNAVAILABLE: Lebeau (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These are two teams that head into the campaign with similar ambitions immediately which will be to steer themselves away from down towards the bottom end of the table. Both Le Havre and Stade Brest have begun with positive results as Le Havre earned a 2-2 draw with Montpellier Herault. Stade Brest’s defeat of Lens was one of the more surprising results of the entire weekend in France’s top-flight. Back in front of home support in the top-flight for the first time in 15 years, Le Havre will likely seek to ‘get at’ Brest and another match in which both teams score seems quite likely.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
