Le Havre can book a place in the round of 32 at the Coupe de France for a second successive campaign when they travel to Stade Fred-Aubert on Saturday to face Stade Briochin.
Last month, the Championnat National 2 team won a nervy encounter against US Saint-Malo, 5-4 on penalties after that match ended 0-0 in normal time.
Match preview
For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the little club from Saint-Brieuc are in the round of 64 of this competition thanks to some solid defensive play.
Les Griffons have not conceded in their last two Coupe de France affairs, putting them at this tournament stage for a third time in their previous six appearances.
Guillaume Allanou's men are on a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions, posting four clean sheets over that span.
The Brittany-based club have been eliminated from the round of 64 twice this decade, losing out on penalties in both instances.
It has been a long time since they previously made it beyond this stage of the tournament, going all the way to the round of 16 in 1966 before being ousted by Strasbourg (5-2).
Stade Briochin are unbeaten in three of their previous four competitive fixtures played at Stade Fred-Aubert, claiming a 2-2 draw domestically versus Olympique Saumur last Saturday.
It has been anything but a December to remember in Normandy, with Le Havre losing all three of their encounters palyed this month.
That has Didier Digard's side in early relegation danger, a point below that line after 15 matchdays, losing four of their last five Ligue 1 affairs.
Half of their domestic triumphs this season have occurred outside Stade Oceane, though they have failed to find the back of the net three times away from home in Ligue 1.
Many of their domestic defeats in 2024-25 have been ugly, losing five top-flight encounters by three or more goals, more than any side in the top five European leagues this season.
Les Ciel et Marine have not made it beyond the round of 64 of the Coupe de France in consecutive seasons since qualifying for the last 16 in 1981 and 82.
Le Havre have not lost to a side that feature in a lower division than them since October 2022 when Alencon defeated them 5-3 on penalties, in a match which ended 3-3 after 90 minutes.
Team News
Briochin will not have Aboubacar Diakhaby at their disposal after a straight red card was issued to him just beyond the half-hour mark of their previous Coupe de France clash.
Guillaume Beghin, Artur Zakharyan, James Le Marer, Bruno Mandiouban and Christian Konan each converted their spot kicks to see off Saint-Malo in the previous round.
A cruciate ligament issue will keep Andy Logbo out of the Le Havre lineup this weekend, while Arouna Sangante has a groin strain and Yann Kitala is doubtful because of a foot injury.
Meanwhile, injuries to Josue Casimir and Issa Soumare may keep both of them out of this upcoming encounter for the Normandy club.
Stade Briochin possible starting lineup:
L'Hostis; Nugent, Kerbrat, Boudin, M. Diakite; Yobe, Beghin, Le Marer; Achahbar; Janno, Konan
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Gorgelin; Lloris, Salmier, Pembele; Sabbi, Kechta, Operi; Grandsir, Targhalline, Joujou; Ayew
We say: Stade Briochin 0-2 Le Havre
Le Havre are currently the lowest-scoring side in Ligue 1, but their opponents on Saturday have not been decisive in the attacking third at this tournament, and Le Club Doyen should eventually find a way through a team currently two levels below them in the French league system.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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