Reims vs Le Havre prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-19 20:00.
A 2-0 loss at Lens brought a fourth defeat in five Ligue 1 games for Reims at the weekend, conceding 2+ goals in each of those four. Despite this recent slump, Les rouges et Blancs remain firmly in the hunt for European qualification, just three points off sixth ahead of round 17 and the halfway point of the season.
To ensure they keep the pace with that top six, Will Still’s men must now pick up some points against Ligue 1 new boys Le Havre, a side they’ve won just one of the most recent six H2Hs against in all competitions (D3, L2) but haven’t met in the top-flight since the 1961/62 season. Fortunately for Reims, they’re back at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II, where they’ve averaged more than 1.7 points per game so far this season, a home record bettered by only six Ligue 1 sides – all of whom are above them in the standings.
Ominously, Vincent Volpe’s Le Havre have won just one of their last five away league games (D2, L2), but have coped fairly well overall with the jump up from Ligue 2, as evidenced by a home win against title challengers Nice on Saturday. That was a first victory in five for Le Club Doyen (D2, L2), who begin this midweek round six points above the relegation places under boss Luka Elsner, who will attempt to be the first man this millennium to keep Le Havre in Ligue 1.
With seven draws this league season – including 5 x 0-0 scorelines – Le Havre have been no pushovers, something which hasn’t been the case in historical H2Hs at Reims, where the side from Normandy have never been able to celebrate even so much as a point in the nine Ligue 1 games they have played in Champagne country, conceding 34 goals, including eight in one game in 1960.
Key battle: Malta international Teddy Teuma (4) is Reims’ top scorer so far this season, with three of his four goals coming between the 50th and 60th minute mark, including one against the other newly-promoted side, Metz. As for Le Havre, a penalty at the weekend saw Mohamed Bayo continue his record of scoring in each of their last three wins. Of his four Ligue 1 goals this term, three have come in the second half.
Hot stat: Le Havre have scored the first match goal in just one away league game this season, their season opener.