Paris Saint-Germain against a French Cup Cinderella

The hosts from the city of Châteauroux play in the Championnat National - the third strongest football division in France - and are therefore the clear outsiders in the 3rd round of the Coupe de France - French football cup - when they meet Paris-Saint Germain. It remains to be seen whether the record cup winners from Paris will live up to their role as favourites. 

In the 1st and 2nd rounds of the cup , Châteauroux easily won against teams in the fifth division and is now in the 3rd round. The reigning French champions are involved in this for the first time this season. It should be logical that the guests from Paris are already the winners on paper, but it can be assumed that PSG coach Christopher Galtier will do without some of his stars, such as the newly crowned world champion Lionel Messi.

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Châteauroux analysis

Châteauroux is third rate for its 2nd season after relegation. They narrowly missed promotion last season. For the central French, this game is the first competitive game after the World Cup break . They played their last game on December 16th, 2022. For 4 competitive games they are without a win because of 2 draws and 2 defeats. In general, they were only able to celebrate a few victories in 2022/23. They decided 2 of 9 games in front of their home crowd and accepted 3 draws and 4 defeats. They finished 10 times and allowed 14 goals . Away, only 2 wins and 3 draws were possible. They gave up twice. The away goal record is 7:8.

After 2018/19, the central French are back in the 3rd round of the cup. The penultimate season ended in the 2nd round and in 2019/20 in the 1st round. They lost 2-0 to AC Ajaccio in 2020/21. 2017/18 was the last time they got past the 3rd round. They last reached the round of 16 in 2011/12. In 2003/04 they were in the Coupe de France final for the first and last time. There they had to admit defeat to PSG. They were not allowed to start in the Coupe de France last season.

Maxence Flachez has been under contract as a trainer at Châteauroux since November 3rd, 2022 . The 50-year-old has an average success rate of 1.14 points per game. He has never faced PSG or Galtier before. He was previously an assistant coach at LB Châteauroux. For the French, this head coaching position is the first at a professional club. Châteauroux is still without a win under his leadership. In 3 games 2 draws were possible and 1 time they had to admit defeat. After all, they were able to score 5 times in the 3 games, but they also conceded 6 goals.

PSG analysis

After the break due to the World Cup, PSG have already played 2 Ligue 1 games. A 2-1 win against Strasbourg was possible and recently they lost to Lens . After 17 match days, Lens is second in the table with 40 points. PSG leads the league with 44 points. In the strongest French football league, they remained unbeaten in front of their home crowd because of 7 wins and 1 draw. They finished 21 times and allowed 8 goals. Abroad, they only had to accept the one defeat against their direct pursuer and be content with 1 draw - 0-0 against Stade Reims. However, they also won 7 games. They marked 25 goals and only allowed 5.

It can be assumed that PSG superstar Mbappé will be used. Throughout the season, he was only twice absent from the Paris squad. Even after the World Cup, he didn't allow himself any vacation and played through the entire game right after the World Cup. However, it is possible that Galtier will take him out before the final whistle, at least if they only have to bring the game home. PSG's game program will finally be tightened again from February, so their coach would be well advised to rest some stars if necessary. Furthermore, the Parisians want to develop the youngster Hugo Ekitiké. After all, the 20-year-old scored the consolation goal against Lens.

Paris-Saint Germain have been in the Coup de France final 19 times and won it 14 times – most recently in 2021. They are the record cup winners. In 2021/22 they were beaten on penalties in the Round of 16 in Nice. They were last runners-up in 2018/19. Between 2014/15 and 2020/21 PSG was always in the final. They won the title 6 times and second place only once.

On July 5th, 2022, Christopher Galtier was contracted to PSG as the main trainer. He has never faced Maxence Flachez or Châteauroux. His average success rate as a trainer is 1.67 PPS. Galtier is one of the very successful coaches in France. In 2021/22, for example, he led Nice to the final. He had to admit defeat to Nantes 1-0. He won the league title with Lille in 2020/21 and finished runners-up with them in 2018/19. He was cup winners with Saint-Étienne in 2012/13 and this season he won the French Super Cup with PSG.

Chateauroux - PSG: What to expect? 

The two teams have only met five times so far. The last direct duel, however, took place in 2004 as part of the Coupe de France final. PSG won 1-0 back then. Châteauroux was only able to decide a direct duel once – in 1998 with 2-1 in Ligue 1. In the few encounters, more than 2.5 goals were scored only twice and only twice did both come to a conclusion.

PSG will not let the victory be snatched away. As already mentioned, the odds for PSG win aren't profitable. For a combination bet, we can recommend a handicap (1-0) or even (2-0) bet. However, we would add a handicap (2:0) tip 2 bet to today's bet slip. With a very high probability, only PSG will score , which is why we win on Both Teams to Score No. We don't expect too many goals. You can also place a bet under 3.5 goals, because as already written, we suspect that Paris-Saint Germain will only do what is necessary to advance. But, we prefer the more safe option of under 4.5 goals.

• Both Teams to Score No at odds of 1.46
• Under 4.5 at odds of 1.46

* All odds and markets are correct at time of publication and subject to change.