Newly-promoted Le Havre welcome Brest to the Stade Oceane on Sunday afternoon as both sides aim to build on positive starts to the new Ligue 1 season.

While Le Havre came from behind to draw with Montpellier HSC on the opening weekend, Brest clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Lens, dispatching last season's runners-up.

Match preview

Le Havre enjoyed the perfect return to top-flight action when Gautier Lloris put the Ligue 1 newcomers ahead inside five minutes on the opening weekend, but a quick-fire brace from Akor Adams swiftly brought Luka Elsner's men back down to earth.

However, the Normandy outfit refused to give up and were ultimately rewarded for their persistence, as Samuel Grandsir equalised in the 90th minute to earn his team a vital point against Montpellier.

Le Havre enjoyed a phenomenal 2022-23 campaign, losing just three of their 38 matches en route to securing the Ligue 2 title, and they also conceded a measly 19 goals, meaning that Elsner's side achieved the best defensive record by some distance.

After enduring a difficult pre-season - suffering five successive defeats in the lead-up to their top-flight return - Le Havre entered the new campaign with plenty of doubt, but last weekend's draw has given the club a big lift.

When Brest found themselves 2-0 down against last season's runners-up on the opening weekend, Eric Roy's men might have been forgiven for throwing in the towel, but the hosts ended up turning things around in style.

Following early goals from Lens forwards Florian Sotoca and Deiver Machado, Romain Del Castillo pulled a goal back for Brest on the stroke of half time before Kenny Lala made it 2-2 after the break.

With only a handful of minutes remaining, Lens were reduced to 10 men when Adrien Thomasson was sent off, with Del Castillo scoring his second goal of the game five minutes later to complete a remarkable turnaround at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

The Pirates looked destined for relegation last term before losing just two of their final 11 matches, with four victories coming in their last six outings, so the Brittany outfit will be confident of progressing under the guidance of Roy, who took over in January.

Team News

Le Havre have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of Sunday's showdown, meaning that Elsner could stick with the same XI that started last weekend's draw at Montpellier.

Forwards Issa Soumare and Nabil Alioui are expected to continue in a 5-3-2 formation, with Rassoul Ndiaye, Oussama Targhalline and Daler Kuzyaev operating in midfield, while Arthur Desmas will retain his place between the sticks.

Roy also has the luxury of a fully-fit squad at his disposal, meaning that Brest will likely continue with a back four of Kenny Lala, Brendan Chardonnet, Lilian Brassier and Bradley Locko.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Inter Milan loanee Martin Satriano will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mathias Pereira Lage, Romain Del Castillo and Jeremy Le Douaron operating behind the lone striker.

Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Nego, Salmier, Sangante, Lloris, Casimir; Ndiaye, Targhalline, Kuzyayev; Soumare, Alioui

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Magnetti, Lees-Melou; Pereira Lage, Del Castillo, Le Douaron; Satriano

We say: Le Havre 1-1 Brest

Buoyed by last weekend's draw against Montpellier, Le Havre look set to give Brest a run for their money at the Stade Oceane, although the hosts may have to settle for another draw as the Pirates look to build on an impressive comeback victory over Lens.

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