Le Havre v Metz: survival stakes as draw-heavy hosts face bottom club | OneFootball

Le Havre host Metz in Ligue 1 at Stade Océane on Sunday, 26 April 2026, with the hosts looking to put daylight between themselves and the drop and the visitors fighting to keep their survival bid alive.

Recent meetings have been tight: the reverse fixture finished 0-0, while Metz won 1-0 at this venue last season. Points are precious for both in the relegation picture.

Le Havre arrive unbeaten in four with four successive draws following a defeat at Paris FC. Metz are winless in five, suffering three losses, including 3-1 defeats against Marseille and Paris FC.

Le Havre are without suspended defender Arouna Sangante, while Abdoulaye Toure, Rassoul Ndiaye and Stephan Zagadou are sidelined. Metz list several injuries, including Habib Diallo, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Boubacar Traoré, Maxime Colin, Ousmane Ba, Joseph Mangondo and Believe Munongo.

Season trends point to a contrast: Le Havre have scored 25 and kept seven clean sheets, whereas Metz have conceded 66. Wide delivery could matter for the hosts, who have five headed goals, while Gauthier Hein offers Metz creativity with five league assists.

Le Havre sit 14th on 30 points and could stretch the gap to the relegation places with a win that would take them to 33. Metz are 18th on 15 and victory would cut the deficit to the teams above.