MX23RW : Friday, April 9 03:19:48| >> :600:282156:282156:
Apr 7, 2021 at 5.45pm UK
SaumurSaumur
1-2
ToulouseToulouse
Bouhoutt (32')
Coquau (15'), Billeaux (42'), Fokam Kamguem (78')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Spierings (20' pen.), Kasongo (67')
Diakite (45')

Preview: Saumur vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Coupe de France clash between Saumur and Toulouse, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Saumur take on Toulouse in the last 16 of the Coupe de France on Wednesday.

The sides are two of nine clubs currently competing outside of Ligue 1 to have made it as far as this season's last 16.


Match preview

Toulouse's Kouadio Kone pictured in January 2020© Reuters

Saumur were third in the Pays de la Loire region of the Championnat National 3 level prior to this season being declared null and void due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, their only competitive matches so far this calendar year have been the four cup games they have won to reach this stage, with the 4-1 win over local rivals Sable in February a particular highlight.

Managed by Julien Sourice, Saumur's most established first-team player is arguably 24-year-old midfielder Mohamed Youla, who has played six times for the Guinea national team.

They will head into the match against Toulouse as major underdogs, but the chance of competing in a national cup quarter-final will seriously motivate them all the same.

Indeed, prior to being relegated last season, Toulouse had spent 20 consecutive seasons as a Ligue 1 club, so they will be heavily odds-on favourites to beat their amateur opponents on Wednesday.

Patrice Garande, who was brought into the club as manager by president Damien Comolli last summer, has guided them into second place in Ligue 2 with seven matches of the season remaining, so they appear to have an excellent chance of bouncing back to the level they consider themselves to belong at.

They should head to Saumur full of confidence, too, after an excellent 4-1 win against eighth-placed Nancy on Saturday, with Janis Antiste, Ruben Gabrielsen and Amine Adli all on the scoresheet for the hosts after Saliou Ciss's own goal had given them a helping hand.

Having beaten Niort, Bordeaux and Aubagne to reach this stage of the Coupe de France, Garande will be determined not to waste a golden opportunity to reach the last eight of the competition.

Saumur Coupe de France form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Toulouse Coupe de France form:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Toulouse form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W


Article continues after the advert


Team News

Sourice will be concerned that his side have not played a competitive match for over a month, but is likely to reward the players who have unexpectedly helped get Saumur this far into the competition.

Wail Bouhoutt scored a brace against Montagnarde in the last round, so is likely to start in attack once again, with the forward clearly deadly from the penalty spot.

Toulouse, meanwhile, could travel without Wesley Said due to injury.

English striker Rhys Healey, who scored 11 league goals for MK Dons last season, is Toulouse's top goalscorer this season and should get the nod alongside Antiste in attack.

Saumur possible starting lineup:
Dauvergne; Touzet, Grippon, Pillier; Ngoua, Viaud, Billeaux, Bacha; Blanchard, Bokangu, Bouhoutt

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Dupe; Sanna, Amian, Dewaest, Gabrielsen, Machado; Adli, Kone, Dejaegere; Healey, Antiste


SM words green background

We say: Saumur 0-2 Toulouse

Toulouse should have far too much quality for their opponents and are unlikely to pass up an excellent opportunity to reach the quarter-final of the Coupe de France.

Garande's side are likely to be a Ligue 1 one side once again next season, so losing to an amateur club would be a huge upset.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:441971:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8372:

How you voted: Saumur vs Toulouse

Saumur
21.4%
Draw
0.0%
Toulouse
78.6%
14
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Watford 'eye Said as Richarlison replacement'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City31235366214574
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd30179458332560
3Leicester CityLeicester30175853341956
4West Ham UnitedWest Ham30157848371152
5Chelsea30149746301651
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs30147951321949
7Liverpool30147951361549
8Everton29145104138347
9Aston Villa291351142311144
10Arsenal30126124035542
11Leeds UnitedLeeds30133144748-142
12Crystal Palace30108123248-1638
13Southampton30106143953-1436
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3098133041-1135
15Burnley3089132440-1633
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton30711123338-532
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3078153050-2029
18Fulham31511152441-1726
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom3049172559-3421
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3042241752-3514

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!