Reims hosts Bastia in the Coupe de France 1/8 finals. The match will be played on Saturday, January 29th at Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims)
In the last match in Ligue 1, Reims was hammered by PSG with a score of 4-0. The streak without victories continues, and it already amounts to four rounds. The last victory was gained in December last year. Oscar Garcia's men are currently in 14th place in the Ligue 1 standings. After 22 rounds, they have 24 points. Reims has already gone through two rounds in the current French Cup, but the Red-and-Whites have shown a mediocre game against the background of such weak opponents as Reims Ste Anne (0:1) and Thaon (0-1). In the last 14 matches in the Cup, Reims players invariably scored at least one goal.
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Bastia represents Ligue 2. Interestingly, like Reims, the team has 24 points after 22 rounds. Regis Brouard's men played their last match in the championship on January 22. Then they played tied against Toulouse (0-0), which is claiming to be promoted. Before that, there was a 2-1 defeat to Nancy. Consequently, Bastia is now far from being in the best form. In four stages of the French Cup, Bastia defeated such opponents as Drapou de Fougères (0:2), Les Herbiers (1-1 and a victory on penalties), Hauts Lyonnais (1-3), and Clermont (2-0). I remind you that Clermont plays in the elite division. The elimination of such an opponent is a serious achievement. Nine of Bastia's 11 previous Coupe de France games have ended with an exchange of goals scored.
Reims and Bastia crossed paths 47 times. The Red-and-Whites won 16 times, and the Blues gained 21 victories. Two previous head-to-head matches between these teams ended with victories of Bastia. In the previous five games in Ligue 1, more than three goals have never been scored. Even though the teams are in different divisions now, I don't think that Reims will have total superiority. Moreover, the Red-and-Whites are accustomed to playing second fiddle, making the main bet on reliable defense. Of course, Bastia will not take risks but will play as cautiously as possible. It seems to me that the Blues will rely on counterattacks and set pieces. Both teams regularly score in cup matches. Perhaps they will score even now. But I do not believe that we will see a goal extravaganza.
Prediction for the match: Under 2.5 goals scored
