Le Havre vs Clermont prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-09-23 13:00.
Although Le Havre have won only one match from five (D3, L1) on their return to Ligue 1 (L1) so far this season, they come into this match both looking to stretch their unbeaten record to four games and to keep a third successive clean sheet in competitive matches. Their only loss to date came in a 2-1 defeat to second-placed Brest, so it’s been a positive start overall.
Luka Elsner’s side also showed impressive resilience in their last match, a 0-0 draw away at Lyon in which they faced 23 shots as the hosts looked to experience a new-manager bounce following Laurent Blanc’s recent dismissal. After that barrage, Le Havre will likely welcome a return home to face Clermont Foot, a side five points beneath them in the early standings.
It has been a winless start for Pascal Gastien’s team (D1, L4) and they come into this match with one eye on a relegation battle this campaign. Although they recovered from losing three of their opening five last year and went on to finish in eighth place, fans of the Lancers will be very concerned by their early form. Ahead of this outing on the road, they may take inspiration from their 96th minute equaliser at Toulouse during their last away match which delivered their only point so far.
This will be the first time that these teams have met in the top-flight, although Clermont are protecting an unbeaten record across the last six H2Hs (D4, W2), mainly played in Ligue 2. After failing to keep a clean sheet in all five of their league matches so far though, they’ll have to do better here in order to potentially extend that undefeated run against the hosts.
Players to watch: Nabil Alioui has found the net three times across his previous three L1 matches, whilst Le Havre haven’t lost any of the last 16 games in which he’s scored! Grejohn Kyei notched from the penalty spot in Clermont’s last away fixture and has good memories against Le Havre after opening his account against them in 2016/17.
Hot stat: Clermont have conceded at least one second-half goal in four of their five Ligue 1 games this season.