Wednesday's Coupe de France predictions including Espaly-Saint-Marcel vs. PSG

Bourgoin-Jallieu vs. Lyon (Wednesday, 5.00pm)

Bourgoin-Jallieu welcome top-flight opponents Lyon to Stade Pierre Rajon on Wednesday evening for their round-of-32 Coupe de France clash in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

The hosts booked their place in this stage with an emphatic 4-1 home triumph over second-tier Martigues, while Les Gones edged Feignies-Aulnoye 2-1 to reach this round for a second consecutive season.

We say: Bourgoin-Jallieu 0-2 Lyon

While the hosts have enjoyed a straightforward path to this stage of the competition, the visitors present their toughest challenge yet.

Bourgoin-Jallieu will aim to prove they are no pushovers, but they are expected to struggle against a Lyon side accustomed to progressing from this round - making an away win the likely outcome.

Toulouse vs. Laval (Wednesday, 5.30pm)

2023 Coupe de France winners Toulouse will aim to make it into the next round of the competition when they host second-tier Laval at Toulouse Stadium on Wednesday.

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.

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.

While the visitors will likely defend resolutely, the penultimate Coupe de France champions have the firepower to break through and secure progression, potentially in a hard-fought, narrow victory.

Quevilly vs. Angers (Wednesday, 5.30pm)

Two sides in impressive form will face off this Wednesday as Quevilly host top-flight side Angers at Stade Robert Diochon in the Coupe de France round of 32.

The hosts arrive on a three-game winning streak across all competitions, while the visitors have matched that run with three consecutive victories of their own.

We say: Quevilly 1-2 Angers

Both sides enter this clash in high spirits, having won their last three matches across all competitions.

Although their head-to-head record is evenly balanced with two wins apiece from four meetings, the visitors' recent success in this fixture makes them slight favourites to claim a narrow victory.

Troyes vs. Rennes (Wednesday, 5.30pm)

Ligue 2 side Troyes will hope to cause an upset in the Coupe de France round of 32 when they host Ligue 1 club Rennes on Wednesday at Stade de l'Aube.

The home team beat Metz 3-0 in the previous round of the competition on December 20, while the away side defeated Bordeaux 4-1 on December 22.

We say: Troyes 1-2 Rennes

Rennes should be considered favourites to advance considering they are a division above their opponents and will likely be able to field players of higher individual quality.

However, the visitors' away record should give Troyes some hope that they can at least trouble Rennes on Wednesday, though it is difficult to see them winning.

Brest vs. Nantes (Wednesday, 5.30pm)

Battling it out for a last-16 spot in this season's Coupe de France, Brest and Nantes will meet at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Wednesday evening.

Both sides may be stuck inside the bottom half of Ligue 1, but they are still contenders to lift the French Cup.

We say: Brest 2-1 Nantes

Neither side has a good defensive record this season, so there could be several goals in this midweek cup clash.

As Brest are tougher to beat on home turf - and Nantes rarely fare well on the road - Les Pirates should progress to the next round.

Thaon vs. Strasbourg (Wednesday, 5.30pm)

Fifth-tier underdogs Thaon will aim to continue their fairytale Coupe de France run when they host Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg at the Stade de la Colombiere on Wednesday in the round of 32.

The Vosges-based club has made a habit of defying the odds in this competition, having eliminated Ligue 2 side Amiens twice in the past three editions, including a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory earlier this season, while the 2023 campaign also saw them push eventual finalists Nantes to penalties.

We say: Thaon 1-2 Strasbourg

Strasbourg's quality and recent form make them strong favorites, but Thaon's history of giant-killing in the Coupe de France adds intrigue to this clash.

However, we expect the Ligue 1 side's superior depth to prevail and secure a win, even though the hosts could push them hard.

Espaly-Saint-Marcel vs. PSG (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

The final Coupe de France fixture in the round of 32 will pit French minnows Espaly-Saint-Marcel against the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.

To get to this stage, the Championnat National 3 club defeated Dijon on penalties (4-3), while the French top-flight leaders were shootout winners against Lens by the same margin.

We say: Espaly-Saint-Marcel 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain

Espaly barely got over the line against a third-tier side in Dijon, and they will be in tough against the best team in France at the moment, who have so much quality they can call upon.

Written by

Oliver Thomas