RC Lens is looking to extend their unbeaten run in the contest when they face Le Havre, as they return from their international break. Despite being the runners-up last season, it is surprising that Lens is lower than their usual position. They are currently at the 15th of the league table with eight points across their names. On the other hand, Le Havre is at the 13th of the league table, earning nine points in their campaign. Fortunately for Lens, they are unbeaten recently, which gives them a good momentum here. As for Le Havre, they are from a devastating 3-0 loss against Marseille. From their last eight meetings, Le Havre is the one with a slight advantage, winning eight games. Lens on the other hand has six wins, while the remaining matches ended in draws. This meeting is on October 21, 2023, at 3:00 AM (GMT+8).
RC Lens
Lens struggled to score against Lille, with former midfield maestro Seko Fofana in attendance. They were thwarted by Lucas Chevalier and missed a penalty, allowing Lille captain Benjamin Andre to score. However, Lens left-back Deiver Machado scored the equalizer after Przemyslaw Frankowski’s delivery. Les Sang et Or have returned to the Champions League with four points from two games against Sevilla and Arsenal, while Lille’s stalemate extended their unbeaten streak to five games in all tournaments. Lens could rise to eighth with a victory on Friday, but they would need a nine-goal annihilation to overtake Rennes. Haise’s charges have gone winless in their last seven meetings with Le Havre since a 1-0 Ligue 2 win in November 2016.
Lens’ Elye Wahi received a third yellow card in the season, while substitute Machado contributed positively off the bench. ACL victims Wuilker Farinez and Jimmy Cabot will keep Wahi on the sidelines, while Kevin Danso and Massadio Haidara are expected to recover from injuries. Jonathan Gradit will return from a ban.
Le Havre
Le Havre, despite their recent success in the top flight, may face a Halloween horror show in their October fixtures. They suffered their first away defeat of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season at Marseille, losing three goals. Rouna Sangante’s own goal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s delicate dink put Les Olympiens out of sight in the first half, with Rassoul Ndiaye banished for two bookable offences. Aubameyang then provided a backheel assist to Ismaila Sarr in the dying embers. Le Havre head coach Luka Elsner has taken a two-week hiatus to analyze their recent defeats, which have left them in 13th place in the standings. They now face Lens at a ground where both Lorient and Clermont have left empty-handed this season.
Le Havre midfielder Ndiaye has been cautioned for a one-game suspension, leading to an immediate recall for Russia international Daler Kuzyaev. Mohamed Bayo was injured against Marseille, and wingers Nabil Alioui and Samuel Grandsir could lead the charge for Le Havre, without Alois Confais or Oussama Targhalline.
Prediction:
RC Lens (1.5)
Odds: -0.88
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