Le Havre vs Auxerre Prediction & Betting Tips (1 September)

Last season, Le Havre returned to the highest level of French football after spending many years at the lower level. Without really wandering around, the residents of Stade Océane still fulfilled their objective by taking 15th place and maintaining their lead with a lead of 3 units over the Metz play-off. In a Ligue 1 that is still quite competitive, Hac should once again aim to maintain their position as a priority this season. The beginnings were also complicated for Didier Digard's men who exploded at the end of the match against PSG 1-4. However, the Normans recovered rather well by winning at Saint-Etienne 0-2 last weekend.

For their part, AJ Auxerre is also back in the elite this season after having had to spend a short season in purgatory, in Ligue 2. Christophe Pélissier's players, on whom the leaders counted despite the decline at the end of the 2022-2023 season, won the title of champion of France in the 2nd division in ahead of Sco d'Angers and AS Saint-Etienne to immediately move up to Ligue 1. Building on their momentum, the Burgundians had achieved a small performance by winning against OGC Nice 2-1. On the other hand, they suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend at Nantes 2-0.

Hac did not wish to keep experienced striker André Ayew (5 goals) at all costs. The not-always-starting center forward Bayo (also 5 goals) returned to Lille from whom he had been loaned. In the opposite direction, Bouneb (Valenciennes) and Londja (Valenciennes) arrived in Normandy. The American winger Sabbi (5 goals) and the formidable left side Opéri (3 goals, 4 assists) are key figures in this team where we also find the former Auxerrois Soumaré who was on loan to the AJA last year. At the moment, the promising young goalkeeper Gomis (starter with France U19 this summer at the Euro) is absent. Forfeited against Saint-Etienne, the excellent left-back Operi is expected for this meeting. The main loss of this Auxerre team in this transfer window is that of Gautier Hein (11 goals, 9 assists in L2) who returned to Metz. Winger Soumaré (Le Havre, return from loan) and Colin Dagba (PSG, return of loan) also left the AJA.

On the other hand, striker Theo Bair (15 goals, 6 assists with Motherwell last year), right midfielder Lasso Coulibaly (Nordsjaelland) and defenders Osho (Luton Town) and Ki-Jana Hoever (Wolverhampton, loan) have joined the club. Also note the return of center forward Ousmane Camara who convinced on loan to Annecy (6 goals, 2 assists decisive in 15 matches). Last year's executives like Raveloson (4 goals, 6 assists), Perrin (7 goals, 10 assists), Sinayoko (8 goals, 4 assists), and Ayé (10 goals, 5 assists) are still at the club. Like last week, the returning Camara and the important Mensah, N'Gatta and Akpa are not there, injured. The excellent Onaiwu (15 goals last year) will be suspended after being sent off last week in Nantes. The important defender Agouzoul is hoped for.