AJ AuxerrevsLe Havre AC

Current Form and Recent Performances

AJ Auxerre, currently positioned 11th in Ligue 1, is enduring a challenging phase with an eight-game winless streak. Their recent 1-1 draw against AS Saint-Etienne highlighted their struggle to secure victories, despite Hamed Traoré's efforts. Auxerre's inconsistency is evident as they have only managed eight wins in 23 matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding 28. Their defensive frailties are a concern, with only six clean sheets this season. Injuries to key players like Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Lasso Coulibaly, along with Hamed Traoré's fitness doubts, further complicate their situation.

Le Havre AC, on the other hand, is in a precarious position, sitting 17th in the table with just 13 points from 18 matches. Their form is dismal, with no wins in their last six games and a poor away record of 0-1-3. Defensive issues are glaring, having conceded 37 goals while scoring only 14. Despite the efforts of players like Abdoulaye Touré and André Ayew, the team struggles to find consistency and cohesion.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

Historically, AJ Auxerre has had the upper hand at home against Le Havre, winning 10 out of the last 20 meetings. However, Le Havre has been resilient in recent encounters, winning three of the last five matches against Auxerre. Last season, Le Havre triumphed in both fixtures, indicating their capability to challenge Auxerre.

Tactical Analysis and Key Players

Auxerre's attack relies heavily on Hamed Traoré and Gaetan Perrin, who have been instrumental in their scoring efforts. However, their defensive vulnerabilities could be exploited by Le Havre's Abdoulaye Touré and André Ayew, who have shown flashes of brilliance. Both teams have struggled defensively, with high-scoring matches being a common trend. Auxerre's home advantage and slightly better form give them an edge, but Le Havre's ability to score late goals, particularly between the 76th and 90th minutes, could pose a threat.

Prediction and Conclusion

Given the current form and historical context, AJ Auxerre is likely to edge out a victory at home. However, both teams' defensive issues suggest that goals will be conceded on both sides. Expect a competitive match with Auxerre narrowly securing a win, but both teams finding the back of the net.