Prediction: Le Havre vs PSG

Verdict: PSG win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting their Ligue 1 title defence underway on Friday night, PSG will travel to the Stade Oceane when they meet Le Havre.

Le Havre

Starting with the hosts, while Le Havre might have eventually clung to their Ligue 1 status last season, the Dean Club look set to have another major battle on their hands this time around. Just about dragging themselves over the finishing line last year, Didier Digard’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening challenge this weekend. Mustering just a single victory from any of their final nine Ligue 1 appearances last season, the Normandy-based outfit are already pencilled in as a leading relegation contender. Signing off their summer preparations with a woeful display last weekend as they slumped to a 6-0 drumming at home against Bundesliga outfit Bochum, Le Havre have continued to show some glaring defensive issues on either side of the summer interval.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance across any competition since opening 2024, academy graduate Andy Logbo remains on the sidelines and will not feature on Friday night. Arriving on a free transfer after leaving second-tier outfit Valenciennes this summer, 18-year-old Ismael Bouneb will be included in Digard’s squad.

Claiming Le Havre’s Golden Boot last season despite notching just five top-flight goals, USA international Emmanuel Sabbi will spearhead Digard’s attack here. Former Nice defender Gautier Lloris will partner Arounaa Sangante at the back this weekend.

PSG

As for the visitors, while PSG’s wait for a maiden European crown might go on, the French icons made more domestic history last season. Breezing their way to a 12th Ligue 1 title and hardly having to get out of third gear, Luis Enrique’s superstar squad will certainly be smelling the chance to make an early statement here. Enjoying another domestic sweep last season as they were crowned Coupe de France champions thanks to a 2-1 victory against Lyon at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on May 25th, the former Barcelona boss also saw his side gain a fearsome reputation for their success on the road. In fact, along with winning all of their final five Ligue 1 showdowns outside of Paris by an aggregate score of 16-4, PSG have not suffered a single domestic defeat on their travels over the past 18 months.

Team News

Watching attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe complete a historic move to Real Madrid this summer, PSG are getting a new era underway this summer. While French international striker Randal Kolo Muani might have notched just six Ligue 1 strikes last season, the former Eintracht Frankfurt should lead Enrique’s attack here.

Arriving from Benfica this summer for a reported fee in the region of £50million, 19-year-old sensation Joao Neves will make his PSG debut on Friday night. Despite constant speculation over a move away from the French capital this summer, Marquinhos will lead out Enrique’s side at the the Stade Oceane.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Le Havre and PSG last met back on April 27th, Friday’s opponents played out a remarkable 3-3 stalemate in Paris.
• However, the Dean Club managed to muster just a single victory from any of their final nine Ligue 1 appearances last season.
• PSG won all of their final five Ligue 1 away fixtures last season by an aggregate score of 16-4.
• Likewise, the reigning French champions have not suffered a single Ligue 1 defeat on their travels since February 2023.
• Le Havre have recorded just a single Ligue 1 clean sheet throughout 2024.

Conclusion

Already pencilled in as a landslide contender to make more Ligue 1 history this season, PSG will be relishing a trip to the Stade Oceane on Friday night. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their success outside of the French capital and not suffering a single domestic defeat on their travels over the past 18 months, Enrique’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity here. With Le Havre signing off their pre-season preparations with a woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of Bochum, we are backing PSG to lay down an early marker this weekend.

Verdict: PSG win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet