Saturday's Coupe de France predictions including Feignies-Aulnoye vs. Lyon

Hauts Lyonnais vs. Toulouse (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Making their second appearance in the Coupe de France round of 64 this decade, Hauts Lyonnais will try to pull off a massive upset on Saturday when they host Toulouse from Stade Maurice Rosson.

A 1-0 victory over Carnoux in late November helped propel the club from Pomeys into this round, setting up a showdown with the 2023 winners of this competition.

We say: Hauts Lyonnais 0-4 Toulouse

Even if Toulouse do not play all of their regulars, which is possible, this still has the makings of a mismatch at every position, and we have difficulty believing the home side can do anything besides keep Le Tef at bay for a while.

Stade Briochin vs. Le Havre (Saturday, 2.30pm)

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.

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.

La Roche vs. Brest (Saturday, 2.30pm)

A jam-packed Saturday of Coupe de France action will get underway with Championnat National 2 outfit La Roche taking on Brest at Stade Henri Desgrange.

The hosts earned their spot in the round of 64 by beating US Orleans on penalties, while the visitors will be making their first appearance in the competition this season.

We say: La Roche 1-3 Brest

Brest may see this competition as a potential backup plan to try and remain in Europe next season given their poor performance in Ligue 1 so far this term. Plenty of changes are expected for the visitors here but we feel they will still claim a fairly straightforward victory.

Corte vs. Nice (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Nice will make the trip to Stade Armand-Cesari in Furiani to take on National 3 side Corte in the round of 64 of the Coupe de France on Saturday afternoon.

Almost exactly a month ago, the hosts snatched two late goals to beat Diables Noirs in the previous round, earning them a shot at the Ligue 1 outfit in this one.

We say: Corte 0-2 Nice

Nice have been pummeled by injuries this season and have had to rely on several youngsters to keep them going which has contributed heavily to their recent dip in form.

However, they are going up against a side that has not managed to find the back of the net in four consecutive matches, and we feel the Ligue 1 outfit will be able to get through, even if it is not by a huge margin.

Le Puy vs. Montpellier (Saturday, 5.00pm)

The biggest surprise story at the Coupe de France last season, Le Puy F43 Auvergne, seek a place in the round of 32 on Saturday against relegation-threatened Montpellier HSC from Stade Charles Massot.

An emphatic 5-1 victory over RCO Agde sent the Championnat National 2 side into the next phase of this tournament, while Montpellier can end a rough 2024 on a positive note, playing to a 2-2 draw with Nice in their previous Ligue 1 fixture.

We say: Le Puy F43 Auvergne 0-1 Montpellier HSC

We are starting to see some positive signs at Montpellier, and though Le Puy have punched above their weight in this competition, we expect the visitors' newfound confidence will propel them into the next round.

Drancy JA vs. Nantes (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Nantes can book a place in the Coupe de France round of 32 for a fourth consecutive season with a victory on Saturday against Drancy JA at Stade de Paris.

Earlier this month, the fifth-tier side from Seine-Saint-Denis scored three first-half goals to dispatch US Noyelles by a 3-0 score, while La Maison Jaune lost their final Ligue 1 affair of 2024, 4-1 at Brest.

We say: Drancy JA 0-4 Nantes

Nantes seem to thrive in elimination affairs, and given how frustrating the top-flight season has gone, we expect them to show no mercy against a Drancy side, who, on paper, are vastly inferior to them.

Feignies-Aulnoye vs. Lyon (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Feignies-Aulnoye will welcome top-flight opponents Lyon to Stade du Hainaut for a round of 64 clash in the Coupe de France on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts earned their spot in this round with back-to-back victories over Raismes and Gallia Lucciana, and are yet to concede a goal in the competition.

We say: Feignies-Aulnoye 1-4 Lyon

After a very slow start to the season when they managed just one win from their first five games, Lyon found top gear at the start of October and have only conceded two defeats in 15 matches since. We feel Les Gones will get through to the next round fairly comfortably.

RC Calais vs. Strasbourg (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Fifth-tier club RC Calais seek to stun Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in Saturday's round of 64 Coupe de France encounter at Stade de l'Epopee.

The hosts, established 18 months ago in June 2023 after Calais Racing Union's 2017 liquidation, have already outdone last year's run and aim to secure a spot in the round of 32 at the expense of their top-flight visitors.

We say: RC Calais 0-2 Strasbourg

It is hard to see anything beyond a Strasbourg win on Saturday. With Rosenior's men closing out the year with their visit to Calais, the Ligue 1 club's quality should suffice in sealing a routine win over the fifth-tier club.

Written by

Matt Law