OGC Nice vs Le Havre Prediction 12.04.2026 | Ligue 1

Nice head into Sunday’s crucial afternoon clash amid what has been a deeply inconsistent and concerning campaign, currently languishing in 15th place and unexpectedly dragged into a relegation battle few would have anticipated at the start of the season.

Les Aiglons have seen their traditionally reliable defensive structure collapse this term, conceding a staggering 55 goals so far — the second-worst record in Ligue 1 — with last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Strasbourg once again exposing their frailties at the back.

Holding only a four-point cushion above the automatic relegation zone, Nice approach this trip to Le Havre as a must-win encounter, desperate to halt a worrying run of four defeats in their last five outings and to create some much-needed breathing room at the foot of the table.

To make matters worse, Youssouf Ndayishimiye will be unavailable for Sunday’s contest after receiving a red card in last week’s heavy 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, while fellow defender Moise Bombito remains sidelined due to a leg injury.

In contrast, Le Havre arrive on the south coast deeply entangled in a high-stakes relegation battle, currently occupying 14th place in the Ligue 1 standings with 28 points, sitting just one point above their upcoming opponents following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Auxerre last weekend.

While they can point to a defensive record that stands stronger than most sides in the bottom half, Les Ciel et Marine continue to be hindered by a persistent lack of attacking firepower, having netted a league-low 23 goals across 28 top-flight outings this season.

Didier Digard's men have also struggled to shake off their evident travel woes, managing just a single victory away from the Stade Oceane all campaign, while conceding an average of 1.77 goals per game on the road — a concerning trend they must address if they are to steer clear of being dragged deeper into the automatic relegation zone.

In terms of team news, experienced midfielder Abdoulaye Toure is closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury, although this fixture comes too soon for him, while 30-year-old centre-back Gautier Lloris is back in contention after recovering from a minor hamstring issue that kept him sidelined for the past two matches.