Key Takeaways
- Le Havre sit 14th with 30 points, Metz are 18th with just 15 points – a crucial battle for survival in Ligue 1’s Match Day 31.
- The teams last met in a goalless draw; Le Havre have historically fared better at Stade Océane (11 wins in 29 home meetings).
- Metz are enduring a dire run: only one win in their last 20 league games and 15 matches without a victory overall, including two straight defeats.
- Le Havre’s home form shows resilience – just one loss in their last seven at Stade Océane and three consecutive matches unbeaten – though they have only one win in their last nine outings.
- Predicted line‑ups highlight key attackers Sofiane Boufal (Le Havre) and Georgiy Tsitaishvili (Metz), while both sides miss a handful of players through injury.
- Head‑to‑head records favour Metz overall (22 wins to Le Havre’s 18), but the home advantage has repeatedly tipped the balance in Le Havre’s favour.
Le Havre will host Metz this Sunday at the Stade Océane for Match Day 31 of the 2025‑26 Ligue 1 campaign. The fixture pits a mid‑table side fighting to cement its safety against a club entrenched in the relegation zone, making the encounter pivotal for both teams’ season objectives.
Le Havre arrive at the game with 30 points, placing them 14th in the league table. Their most recent outing ended in a 1‑1 draw against Angers, a result that left Didier Digard’s side with a mixed feeling: they avoided defeat but failed to capitalize on opportunities to climb further clear of the drop zone. Despite the draw, Le Havre have shown signs of life at home, where they have suffered just one loss in their last seven matches and have gone three games unbeaten. However, their overall form remains inconsistent – they have secured only one victory in their previous nine league games and have endured an eight‑match winless streak overall. Notably, the Normandy side has been involved in high‑scoring affairs recently, finding the net in four consecutive matches while also conceding in each of those same four outings, suggesting a willingness to push forward but also defensive frailties that Metz will look to exploit.
Metz, by contrast, find themselves in a precarious 18th‑position with a mere 15 points, hovering dangerously close to the relegation slot. Their latest match resulted in a 1‑3 loss to Paris FC, extending a dismal run that has seen them claim just one win in their last twenty league encounters. The Granats have not tasted victory in fifteen consecutive matches overall and have suffered two straight defeats, highlighting a crisis of confidence both offensively and defensively. Away from home, Metz’s struggles are particularly stark: they have managed only a single win in their last ten road games and are currently on a seven‑match winless streak when playing away from Stade Saint‑Symphorien. These statistics underline the urgency for Metz to seize any available points if they hope to avoid the drop.
Historically, the rivalry has favoured Metz, who have won 22 of the 59 meetings between the clubs, while Le Havre have claimed 18 victories and the remaining 19 encounters ended in draws. When the fixture has been staged at Le Havre’s Stade Océane, however, the home side has enjoyed a distinct edge, recording 11 wins in 29 home matches compared with Metz’s five triumphs. In Ligue 1‑specific encounters (41 games), Metz still lead with 17 wins to Le Havre’s 11, with 13 draws completing the record. This historical context adds an intriguing subplot: although Metz hold the overall advantage, Le Havre’s home record suggests they can overturn the odds when playing in front of their supporters.
Turning to the anticipated starting line‑ups, Le Havre are expected to field a solid defensive base anchored by goalkeeper Mory Diaw, with centre‑backs Stephan Zagadou and Ayumu Seko flanked by full‑backs Gautier Lloris and Lucas Gourna‑Douath. Midfield will be powered by the industrious Fodé Doucouré, Rassoul Ndiaye and Yanis Zouaoui, while the attacking trio of Sofiane Boufal, Issa Soumaré and the ever‑reliable Ally Samatta looks to provide the cutting edge. Metz will likely rely on keeper Pape Sy, a backline featuring Koffi Kouao, Urie‑Michel Mboula, Sadibou Sané and Terry Yegbe, and a midfield engine comprising Jessy Deminguet, Jean Gbamin, Nathan Mbala and Gauthier Hein. The attacking threat is set to come from Georgiy Tsitaishvili and Lucas Michal, with Habib Diallo having featured in Metz’s most recent starting XI but now listed as unavailable.
In terms of absentees, Le Havre will be without Joseph Mangondo, who continues to recover from knee problems. Metz also face a similar injury concern, though the specific nature of their unavailable player’s issue was not detailed in the source material. Both managers will need to adjust their tactics accordingly, potentially giving opportunities to squad players eager to impress.
Didier Digard, Le Havre’s head coach, has a modest historical record against Metz, having faced them once previously and secured a draw. This limited experience may push him to adopt a pragmatic approach, focusing on shoring up the defence while looking to exploit Metz’s vulnerable away form. Conversely, Metz’s manager Benoît Tavenot will be keen to break their horrendous run, likely emphasizing a compact shape and looking to hit Le Havre on the break, utilizing the pace of their wingers and the creativity of Tsitaishvili.
Overall, Sunday’s clash promises a tense, high‑stakes encounter. Le Havre will aim to harness their home advantage and recent goal‑scoring runs to push clear of the relegation battle, while Metz will be desperate to snap their winless streak and climb out of the danger zone. The outcome could significantly influence both clubs’ trajectories as the Ligue 1 season enters its final, decisive stretch.