Ligue 2 betting preview: Reims- Le Havre
They have finally made the solid start to the season they have been waiting several campiagns for and it really is all about top two for them and in addition to their seven points, they also scored five goals inside 17 minutes (!) away to Reims, who were playing top flight football three months ago, in the cup and that highlights their goalscoring potential when they cut loose.They let a lead slip in a draw at Gazelec last week and I cannot believe that they will be looking for anything other than all three points, but they did concede three in two games (league and cup) last week and we "know" that Troyes ( see opening day notes above) just do not have it in them to come here with a negative mindset .
I have been waiting for a "performance" and we saw one in the 1-1 draw with (then) leaders Brest on Tuesday, when HAC looked much the better side, really took the game to the visitors should have been two up, before falling behind, but did not let heads drop, equalised, felt they had an attempt which "crossed the goal line", but was not given and battled until the end, being denied a winner by three unbelievable saves and they spoke afterwards of getting great confidence from the 90 minutes. Duhamel and Gimbert are still scoring goals and are as potent as any pairing at this level, several of the senior players spoke honestly this week about the bad run, but that they all still "believed" and I saw plenty to like in midweek and think they remain one of the better Ligue 2 teams. Defensive midfielder Jean-Pascal Fontaine returns after missing two games today, Le Havre are unbeaten in five on the road when he starts, conceding just three goals, that sequence includes a 3-1 win here at the end of last season and they have allowed just four goals in eight road outings when Fontaine plays and he gives them a far more solid look. Hosts have failed to score in their last five league starts and look the perfect opposition for Le Havre at this time.
They won that 1-0 and followed up by beating highflying Sochaux 2-1 before the break, that was noteworthy as head coach Bob Bradley had left on the day of the game to join Premier League Swansea City. Oswald Tanchot his number 2 took over and has already made some big decisions regarding his coaching staff and that is a good sign, as he is confident enough to do that and wants to make the job his own.This is a good squad and the move will doubtless be good for Bradley's bank balance, but might also be better for HAC, as they are a team happier unshackled IMO and allowed to play to their strengths and that was definitely not always the case under their US boss.
However and there is almost always an however, he and HAC have to travel without Issam Chebake, Steven Fortes , Ghislain Gimbert and Cédric Cambon, their offensive threat remains without Gimbert, but they are without three important defenders and the backline will include at least two inexperienced players and will be probably the youngest in action in Ligue 2 today (average age 21, oldest 23). Clermont love a 2-1/1-2 (five in their last ten starts) and they have won 3 of the last 6 h2h meetings here by that exact scoreline, both to score, one to notch a winner.
HAC almost paid for that when Valenciennes were awarded a dubious looking penalty, but this was saved by giant keeper Fabien Farnolle and justice was done. It was a game of very few real chances, but I have to admit to being rather impressed with HAC, I saw video of them in warm up and they were really going for it, much more than you normally see ( I always try to get into Griffin Park early to see how the opposition prepare, it is incredible btw how many teams come out for the second half and do no last minute warm up at all, the Bees always do at least 90 seconds or so, but I digress) , keeper Farnolle must have saved 100 shots and was drenched in sweat going back to the changing rooms, they came out fired up, looked sharp and got that early breakthrough goal. Every key moment was celebrated as a group, which I always like , they were really pumped by the win and there were extended and jubilant celebrations after the game shown on the club website. You can learn quite a bit from titbits like these and this is clearly a very together group of players, you cannot fake joy and comradeship and we know they have ability.
Anyway, a huge win for Le Havre which took them up to fourth , they have back to back road games after today and will surely be hunting down the three points today and get Issam Chebake, Steven Fortes and Ghislain Gimbert (see above) back today, with greatly increased options and a chance to freshen up with regular starters. I expect them to win with a degree of comfort.
Reims : Carrasso, E. Mendy - Bouhours, Conte, H. Traoré, Turan, Weber - Berthier, Da Cruz, Kankava, Ndom, Rigonato, Rodriguez - I. Baldé, Charbonnier, Chavarria, Kyei.
Good Luck.
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