Le Havre are set to take on Marseille at Stade Oceane on Sunday evening in the final matchday of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season.
The hosts need just a point to guarantee their safety, while the visitors could sneak into the top six with a victory depending on results elsewhere.
Match preview
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Le Havre's first season back in the French top division since 2008-09 has certainly been a difficult one, but they come into this final game of the campaign with their safety almost secured.
They currently hold a three-point lead over 17th-placed FC Metz, meaning just a draw in their match with Marseille would book their place in next season's Ligue 1, but even if Metz move on to level points on the final day there would need to be a swing of 12-goal difference to see Le Havre relegated.
Luka Elsner, who has been in charge of the club since June 2022, got his side off to a flying start in Ligue 1 as they lost on only six occasions in the first 20 fixtures, seeing them reside in 11th place.
However, nine losses in the following 13 saw Le Havre get dragged into a relegation battle, briefly entering the drop zone for the first and only time to date after a 1-0 loss to Metz in April.
Hugely important points were to come in the following games as they drew with champions Paris Saint-Germain, coming devastatingly close to a victory after squandering a 3-1 lead before Goncalo Ramos's eventual equaliser in the 95th minute, and beat Strasbourg 3-1.
They now host Marseille at Stade Oceane, where they have picked up 20 of their 32 points this season, with the knowledge that safety in the division is all but secured.
The visitors could also see their fate decided on the final day of the campaign as they trail behind sixth and seventh-placed Lens and Lyon by three points, meaning a win for the Olympians and defeats for those above them would see them qualify for the Europa League thanks to a higher goal difference.
After Marcelino left the club for personal reasons just seven games into the season and Gennaro Gattuso's dismissal, Jean-Louis Gasset has done well to steady the ship and get Marseille in with a chance of European football next term.
If Gasset's men are to achieve the seemingly impossible task on Sunday then they must see an improvement upon the away results and performances they have produced this season, taking a league-low 11 points from their 16 games on the road.
Team News
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The hosts could be without up to three players for this game due to a mix of injuries and suspensions.
Mohamed Bayo and Andy Logbo are both set to miss out through injury.
Yassine Kechta is unavailable due to an accumulation of bookings, leaving Josue Casimir likely to step into the attacking midfield role.
As for the visitors, Valentin Rongier, Bilal Nadir and Samuel Gigot are all set to miss out due to injuries.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 29 times for Marseille across all competitions this campaign, including four in his last four Ligue 1 appearances.
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Sangante, Youte, Lloris; Nego, Toure, Targhalline, Operi; Sabbi, Casimir; Ayew
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Murillo, Mbemba, Balerdi, Merlin; Ounahi, Kondogbia, Veretout; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Henrique
We say: Le Havre 1-2 Marseille
While the visitors have struggled in their away matches this season, we believe that the added incentive of possible qualification for European football next season will help them get over the line with a victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
