Meeting for the second time in three seasons in Coupe de France, Strasbourg welcome Angers to Stade de la Meinau for their round-of-16 encounter this midweek.
The last cup game between the sides came in the fifth round of the 2022-23 campaign, when Les Scoistes emerged winners after a goalless draw over 120 minutes, triumphing on penalties.
Match preview
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Strasbourg progressed to this stage of the competition after comfortably dispatching RC Calais 3-0 and overcoming Thaon on penalties in the round of 32.
Having raced to a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark through a Rayane Messi brace, the Blue and Whites looked set for another emphatic cup victory, only to be stunned as their advantage slipped away by halftime, and after 120 minutes with the score locked at 2-2, Le Racing held their nerve in the shootout, converting all five spot-kicks to triumph 5-3.
This midweek, the Alsace-based side will be hoping to avoid the same fate as in the previous two campaigns, when they were eliminated on penalties — first against Wednesday's visitors and again to Lyon in the quarter-final last term.
To advance past this stage for a second consecutive season, Strasbourg must overcome their struggles against top-flight opponents, having been eliminated by such teams in each of the last six campaigns.
Liam Rosenior's side head into this encounter off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Rennes, a result that put an end to their eight-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
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Meanwhile, Angers were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday's league trip to Le Havre, making it two games without a win after previously storming to five consecutive victories.
That streak includes both of their cup encounters in this campaign — a 1-0 triumph against Bobigny before securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Quevilly to reach this stage of the competition.
This marks the fifth time in nine seasons Angers have reached the round of 16, though Les Scoistes have advanced past this phase only twice in the previous eight.
Aware of the risk in relying on luck again after a goalless draw in their last cup meeting with the hosts, which they won on penalties, Les Scoïstes will aim to bring their scoring boots this time, with their recent setbacks in the competition largely stemming from a failure to find the back of the net, having scored in just two of the last eight seasons, they have been eliminated.
The Black and Whites can draw confidence from their improved performances on the road, having won five of their last eight across all competitions after a spell of four matches without a victory.
Team News
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For Strasbourg, long-term absentees Thomas Delaine (knee) and Caleb Wiley (shoulder) remain unavailable, while Dilane Bakwa could miss a third successive game due to a sprained knee.
Karl-Johan Johnsson was in goal in the previous rounds of the campaign, and he could return between the sticks for this one.
As for the visitors, Bamba Dieng, Carlens Arcus and Sidiki Cherif are ruled out through injuries, with the trio expected to return later this month.
Like the hosts, Angers could make changes in goal, with Melvin Zinga, who featured in their previous cup encounters, likely to return, while Esteban Lepaul may retain his place up front.
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Sobol; Diarra, Santos; Lemarechal, Ouattara, Nanasi; Emegha
Angers possible starting lineup:
Zinga; Rao-Lisoa, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Aholou, Belkebla; Allevinah, Abdelli, Ferhat; Lepaul
We say: Strasbourg 1-0 Angers
Strasbourg's home advantage could prove crucial against an Angers side that has struggled to find the net in past cup exits, and we believe this trend may continue, making a narrow win for the hosts the most probable outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
