Prediction Le Havre vs Nice 2025/2026 season – Betting Tips for Ligue 1 on 31/08/2025

Match context and storyline

Le Havre welcome Nice to the Stade Océane on 31/08/2025 in what shapes up to be an early-season test of durability for the promoted side and a measuring-stick encounter for a Nice team trying to build momentum. Le Havre sit 16th after two league outings with zero points and a worrying goals conceded column that already reads five, while Nice are eighth with three points and a much healthier goals differential. The capacity crowd in Le Havre — 25,181 — can be a factor, but the home side’s two opening losses, including a 2-1 reverse to Lens last weekend, underscore a team that has struggled to turn possession and shots into points so far.

Form, recent meetings and tactical picture

Le Havre arrive with mixed recent results across competitions: a narrow 1-2 defeat to Lens, a 3-1 loss at Monaco and a draw with Angers among the latest fixtures. Their form string shows more defeats than victories, and the defensive numbers are concerning: goals conceded at home stand higher than goals scored. Nice, conversely, arrive buoyed by a convincing 3-1 home win over Auxerre most recently, and their summer calendar features a mix of strong performances and setbacks in Europa fixtures, but crucially they have the firepower to trouble fragile backlines. The head-to-head from February this season tipped in Nice’s favour with a 3-1 win at Le Havre, suggesting familiarity and a historical edge for the visitors when it matters.

Shot and chance data paints a competitive picture: both teams produce similar totals of shots and shots inside the box, but Nice edge Le Havre in average corners and dangerous attacks, indicators that Nice craft more sustained pressure. Le Havre’s higher fouls average and lack of clean sheets so far also hint at defensive instability under duress.

Key recent performers

Individual match reports give Nice momentum too — Tom Louchet earned a standout 8.81 rating in the recent Auxerre win — while Le Havre’s Fodé Doucouré was named best player in the Lens clash with an 8.22, a reminder that the hosts have moments of quality but not yet the consistency to convert them into points.

Betting suggestion

Given the gap in early-season tempo, Nice’s superior form line, their recent 3-1 win at Le Havre earlier this year, and the market pricing that places the visitors as favorites (Nice at 2.05 on the match-winner market), the clearest value lies on the 1X2 market: back an Away win for Nice. The data suggests Nice are likeliest to take three points on 31 August, with a realistic expectation of goals in the match but the primary edge remains the visitors securing victory.