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Strasbourg vs Le Havre: Ligue 1 Preview
With European qualification and top-flight survival on the line, Strasbourg and Le Havre meet at Stade de la Meinau on Saturday evening in a high-stakes Ligue 1 clash on the final matchday of the 2024–25 campaign.
by Berba
Strasbourg enter the contest sitting sixth in the table with 57 points, level with both fourth-placed Nice and fifth-placed Lille. While a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League playoff round is currently theirs, the possibility of Europa League or even Champions League qualification remains in reach—provided results elsewhere go their way. Liam Rosenior’s side will be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat away to Angers last time out, but their impressive home form provides cause for optimism. Only Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco have collected more points at home this season than Strasbourg’s 35 from 16 matches.
The hosts also have history on their side. Not only did they record a commanding 3-0 win over Le Havre in December’s reverse fixture, but they are aiming for a league double over their visitors. However, they will be wary of past meetings; Le Havre ran out 3-1 winners when the two sides last met in Ligue 1 back in December 2023.
Le Havre, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives. With 31 points from 33 games and sitting 16th, Didier Digard’s side are currently bound for the relegation playoff. They remain just one point above Saint-Etienne and two behind Nantes, meaning they could still finish anywhere from 15th to 17th depending on Saturday’s results. While home form has been a struggle, Le Havre have enjoyed relative success on the road this season, posting six away wins—three more than they’ve managed at Stade Océane.
Their most recent outing ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Marseille, though they did earn a crucial 2-1 victory away at Auxerre earlier this month. Digard’s side know that a win is essential if they are to have any chance of climbing out of the bottom three, and they'll be looking to forwards like Issa Soumaré—who has five league goals this term—to provide the attacking spark.
Team news favours consistency for both squads. Strasbourg remain without Thomas Delaine and Moïse Sahi due to injury, but welcome back Andrew Omobamidele from suspension. Key midfielder Andrey Santos is expected to feature again after an outstanding season that has seen the Chelsea loanee score 10 goals and assist five more in 33 appearances. He will likely be joined by Félix Lemarechal and Sam Amo-Ameyaw in attack.
For Le Havre, Aloïs Confais and Koka are still sidelined, but no new injury concerns have been reported. Despite the defeat to Marseille, Digard is likely to stick with the same core lineup, encouraged by elements of his side’s display before conceding twice late on.
With contrasting objectives but equally high stakes, Saturday’s encounter at La Meinau promises to be a gripping conclusion to the Ligue 1 season for both clubs.