Toulousevs.Laval

The visitors have made a habit of forcing penalty shootouts in this season's competition, winning all three rounds via spot kicks, showcasing resilience and determination.

Match preview

Toulouse narrowly avoided a shock exit in the round of 64, needing penalties to overcome fifth-tier side Hauts Lyonnais in a fiery encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

Despite the scare, Les Violets remain favourites, thanks to a solid Ligue 1 campaign that has them sitting eighth in the table with 24 points, just four shy of a European spot.

However, their momentum was halted last weekend in a 2-1 home defeat to Strasbourg, ending a four-game unbeaten streak at the Toulouse Stadium, which included three consecutive wins.

Carles Martinez Novell's side will hope to capitalise on home advantage, but memories of last season's shock round-of-32 exit to lower-tier FC Rouen, in a marathon 12-11 penalty shootout, linger as a cautionary tale.

Meanwhile, Laval's path to this stage has been marked by gritty determination - Les Tango have drawn all three of their Coupe de France matches so far, before prevailing in shootouts.

A goalless draw against Vitre ended with a 5-4 victory on penalties, followed by a 5-3 shootout triumph in the eighth round after a dramatic 2-2 draw, and most recently, they edged Merignac Athletic Sport 4-3 on penalties after another goalless stalemate in the round of 64.

The second-tier side is aiming to reach the round of 16 for the second successive season, after a respectable run last year ended in a 2-1 loss to Le Puy Foot.

However, the specter of their 1987-88 campaign looms over the visitors, when they were eliminated from the competition with a 2-0 defeat to Toulouse in the third round—a reminder of the challenges they face against the hosts.

Toulouse Coupe de France form:

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Toulouse form (all competitions):

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L

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L

Laval Coupe de France form:

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Laval form (all competitions):

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D

Team News

Toulouse remain without key defender Rasmus Nicolaisen, who is sidelined with an ankle injury until later this month.

Midfielder Vincent Sierro also remains unavailable due to a leg injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

For Laval, defensive options are limited with center-back William Bianda ruled out due to an ankle injury.

Peter Ouaneh also remains sidelined, having been out of action since October with a patellar tendon tear.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Restes; Akdag, Cresswell, McKenzie; Doennum, Canvot, Suazo, Casseres Jr.; Gboho, Aboukhlal; King

Laval possible starting lineup:

Hautbois; Cherni, Bianda, Tavares, Adilehou, Goncalves; Pereira, Roye, Thomas, Zohi; Tchokounte

We say: Toulouse 2-1 Laval

Toulouse should assert their Ligue 1 quality at home, but Laval's knack for dragging games into penalties cannot be ignored.

Written by

Joshua Cole

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