Coupe De France Round of 16 Promises Goals Galore

More upsets could be in store and goals might continue to flow this week in the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France. 

The competition is renowned for its ‘giant killings’, offering enticing opportunities to back underdogs and betting on high-scoring ties.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

A Competition Designed to Produce Surprises

Earlier this season, the Coupe de France already served up some surprising results, with top teams like Montpellier and Lyon being ousted by lower-division clubs. But what makes this competition so susceptible to these upsets?

One theory is that the gap in quality between professional and amateur clubs in France is relatively small. Only the top two divisions, comprising 36 teams in total, are fully professional. Consequently, amateur sides across the country often boast top-class graduates from France’s esteemed youth academies. 

The primary factor, however, is the competition’s structure, which is designed to give underdogs a fair chance. When teams from divisions separated by two or more tiers face off, the lower-ranked team is automatically granted home advantage. This reduces the likelihood of a Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 team overpowering amateur opponents, thereby making the competition very unpredictable. 

Over the past 20 seasons, 57 quarter-finalists (35% of the total) have come from Ligue 2 or lower divisions.

Back The Underdogs to Score

In the Round of 16, 10 out of 16 games produced at least two goals, and the ‘Both Teams To Score – Yes’ bet won in all but three matches. This includes the clash between Ligue 1 leaders PSG and FC Espaly, a team from Championnat National 3, the fifth tier of French football. 

Bourgoin-Jallieu, also from the fifth tier, are the biggest story of the competition so far, having already eliminated Ligue 2 side Martigues with a 4-1 win on home soil, followed by a success, on penalties, against Lyon after a 2-2 draw. On Thursday they face Reims, currently 13th in Ligue 1 and with just one victory in their past 13 games. 

Les Rouges et Blancs have sacked manager Luka Elsner, appointing caretaker Samba Diawara in his place. The former Mali international is expected to serve until the end of the season, and will be eager to make a strong start with a strong line-up. 

Reims, who last claimed the Coupe de France title in 1958, have already ousted Monaco from the competition and could have a promising run ahead. Reflecting on past rounds, 15 out of the previous 16 matches played in the Round of 16, over the last two seasons, have seen both teams score. 

Therefore, Betting on ‘Both Teams To Score – Yes’ appears to be an intriguing option. 

PSG to Go Full Throttle in Le Mans

Le Mans, from the French third division, are the biggest underdogs of the round, priced at 19.00 to beat PSG at home. 

While the hosts will strive to prove they are no pushovers, the Parisians are expected to be too formidable, making an away win with a large scoresheet almost certain. 

In this case, the Over 3.5 Goals line looks promising, considering Luis Enrique’s men have only failed to score once domestically this season.

High Goals Line Offers Value

Dives-Cabourg, the other team from France’s fifth division still present in the competition, are set to travel to Cannes. With Cannes currently second in the fourth division, it would be wise to back the home side with an Asian Handicap of -1. 

The hosts are particularly strong at home, having won their last six matches in a row, including a 2-1 success against Lorient in the Round of 16, a team poised to return to Ligue 1 after last season’s relegation.

Finally, five of Toulouse’s last eight games have ended with both teams on the scoresheet. 

Hosting En Avant Guingamp, a team currently in fourth place in Ligue 2 and with only one loss in their previous seven games, won’t be an easy task. 

Last season, seven out of eight matches played in the Round of 16 produced at least three goals. Moreover, for this match, betting on Over 2.5 Goals, a feat achieved in Toulouse’s last four home games, seems a good choice at evens odds.

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