Preview: Nancy vs. Amiens - prediction, team news, lineups

With a spot in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France at stake, Nancy welcome fellow Ligue 2 side Amiens to the Stade Marcel-Picot on Saturday afternoon.

Albert Cartier's side went down 4-0 to Toulouse in their most recent encounter, while the visitors played out a 1-1 draw with Quevilly Rouen in midweek.

Match preview

Inconsistency continues to bedevil this Nancy outfit as they endeavour to drag themselves off the foot of the table in Ligue 2, as the basement side followed up their much-needed win over Bastia with a humbling defeat at the hands of Toulouse.

An early red card to centre-back Thomas Basila meant that the writing was on the wall for Nancy early doors, and four goals from four different goalscorers saw league leaders Toulouse march to a routine win as Nancy drift further and further away from safety.

Cartier's men have some serious work to do if they are to avoid a drop to the third tier, but they have impressively seen off two Ligue 1 opponents in the Coupe de France already this year, beating Troyes and European-chasing Rennes on penalties following 1-1 draws.

The 1977-78 Coupe de France winners have already achieved their best finish in the tournament since reaching the quarter-finals of the 2012-13 season - when they were eliminated by Troyes - and a record of three wins from their last 13 at home does not serve to increase the confidence in Cartier's ranks.

Amiens are not exactly where they want to be in the Ligue 2 standings either - languishing in 13th spot and only three points clear of Valenciennes in the relegation playoff spot - and their midweek battle with fellow strugglers Quevilly Rouen was not one for the ages.

Philippe Hinschberger's side found themselves 1-0 up on the stroke of half time courtesy of Eddy Gnahore's effort before Garland Gbelle levelled for the hosts with 16 minutes left to play, but their goal-laden performances in the Coupe de France have caught the eye this season.

Indeed, Amiens have struck 15 goals in their four cup victories so far this season - although they needed a penalty shootout to get the better of Linas-Montlhery last time out - but their only appearance in the Coupe de France final to date ended in defeat to Strasbourg in 2001.

Nancy managed to hold Amiens to a 1-1 draw during their Ligue 2 encounter back in September, and the prospect of a clash with the big boys in the quarter-final ought to see the hosts turn up the heat amid their second-tier woes.

Team News

Nancy centre-back Basila has been slapped with a two-game ban following his sending off against Toulouse, with his absence opening up a spot for Ogou Akichi or Soares to deputise at the back.

Left-back Saliou Ciss remains on duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Souleymane Karamoko is back after Mauritania's group-stage elimination.

West Ham United loanee Nathan Trott may hand over the gloves to Baptiste Valette this weekend, but attacker Mamadou Thiam left the field injured against Toulouse and may be forced to miss out.

Meanwhile, Amiens only saw one player called up for the Africa Cup of Nations in the form of Mamadou Fofana, who will soon return to the club following Mali's recent elimination.

Nicholas Opoku continues to rehabilitate following his devastating cruciate ligament rupture, as midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey continues to deputise in Amiens' back three.

There is certainly no shortage of attacking options in the visitors' ranks, as seven-goal striker Aliou Badji prepares to spearhead the charge.

Nancy possible starting lineup:
Valette; Karamoko, Akichi, Bianda, Latouchent; Lefebvre, Dewaele; Cisse, Bobichon, Bertrand; Jung

Amiens possible starting lineup:
Gurtner; Pavlovic, Mendy, Lomotey; Fonseca, Gnahore, Benet, Xantippe; Lusamba; Bamba, Badji

We say: Nancy 1-2 Amiens

As much as a Coupe de France quarter-final appearance may appease some of the Nancy faithful, the hosts must focus their efforts on dragging themselves to safety in the second tier, however challenging that may be.

That is not to say that Cartier's side - who have established something of a giant-killing reputation - will not give it their all on home soil, but Amiens' have very few defeats on their recent record and should use their plentiful attacking options to get over the line and into the last eight.

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