Brest vs Le Havre prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-02 14:00.
Brest have emerged as the latest side to take up the âbest of the restâ mantle in Ligue 1 after putting together a 12-game unbeaten run in the top flight (W8, D4), yet they still trailed leaders Paris Saint-Germain by 11 points after matchday 23! Despite missing goalkeeper Marco Bizot and striker Steve MouniĂ©, they were good enough to swat aside Strasbourg 3-0 last weekend and take another step towards a barely believable top-five finish and European qualification.
After Brest experienced years in the doldrums, including going bankrupt in 1991 and having to work their way back from the amateur divisions, the Pirates are navigating their way through far smoother waters these days. Only PSG have beaten them in home league action this season (W6, D4) and theyâve kept four consecutive Ligue 1 clean sheets at Stade Francis-Le BlĂ© for the first time since 2010.
Bidding to be the first away team to score here since Strasbourg in early December, Le Havre sit just two points above the bottom three, with survival very much on their minds after three straight league defeats. Manager Luka Elsner tried to remain calm after their 2-1 loss to Reims last weekend, pointing out that their position is ârelatively normalâ for a promoted side.
But itâs also become normal for the Sky and Navy to struggle at Brest, where they havenât won since 2008 (D2, L5) or even scored in their last five visits (D1, L4), a particular worry given their upcoming hostsâ defensive fortitude of late. Le Havreâs return to the top flight has seen them struggle on the road throughout the season (W1, D7, L4), including in their last such fixture, a humbling 3-0 defeat at Lille.
Players to watch: After netting a hat-trick against Strasbourg, each of Mahdi Camaraâs five goals for Brest this season arrived between the 30th and 60th minutes, while all three of AndrĂ© Ayewâs goals for Le Havre this term have come away from home, two of which he netted after the 80th minute.
Hot streak: Brest are unbeaten in Ligue 1 this campaign after scoring first (W10, D2).