Strangely, Strasbourg is still very much in contention to stay in Ligue 1 despite having only one victory all year.
They will undoubtedly have an advantage going into this game thanks to their lone victory over Angers. Strasbourg has scored the most goals (20) of the six worst teams in the French top division, which also provides the team with some encouraging information about how they should approach these crucial games.
Of course, their weak defence, which has allowed 31 goals so far this season, is a caveat to that form. Due to their standing, Strasbourg didn’t have to enter the French Cup competition too soon, but they are now eager to advance!
After the season break, they lost both of their games, but they were both heartbreaking defeats. The first one was against PSG where they fell to a 95th-minute penalty and again lost to Troyes in the last quarter hour of the match.
The hosts also suffer from a number of injuries, including those to Karol Fila, Eiji Kawashima, Maxime Le Marchand, Thomas Delaine, Colin Dagba, and Nordine Kandil.
On the other hand, even Angers has had a difficult season, just like their rivals. Despite finishing last in Ligue 1, they played four friendlies before the World Cup break to show some resolve. They lost both games at the start of the Ligue 1 season, which was unfortunate for them.
They did not participate in the French Cup’s earlier rounds either, but they will now face one of their relegation opponents.
Ibrahim Amadou, Yahia Fofana, Ali Kalla, and Ulrick Eneme-Ella are among the injured visitors who won’t play.
It’s interesting to notice that Angers has one of the biggest squads in France’s top divisions, there are 33 players available for coach Abdel Bouhazama, but that kind of large presence hasn’t given the team enough strength to get some balance!
Now let’s have a look at what the market has to say!
1×2 Betting Odds
The betting market believes that Strasbourg, playing at home, will advance to the next round with odds standing @ 1.83.
Angers are the travelling side and they are also the underdogs with odds @ 4.75.
The possibility of a stalemate and extra time to follow stands @ 3.75.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.96.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 1.98.
As the over/under odds suggest the market expects this to be a tight affair with not many goals being scored in it!
The verdict from the market is that Strasbourg will just about nick it to advance further into the competition!
