Strasbourg Form
Strasbourg approach the semi-final at a strange point in the season: seven matches without defeat in Ligue 1, then a 0:3 loss to Rennes with an almost reserve side — after a crazy comeback (4:0) against Mainz in the Europa Conference League on Wednesday. The first-choice players return for the cup tie. In terms of style, the team under Gary O'Neil remain the same: they play open football, take risks and have scored in 11 of their last 12 home matches in all competitions, but they also concede in almost every match just as easily.
They score in their home matches in all competitions, but also concede almost every time.
Key Strasbourg stats:
- Have scored in 11 of 12 home matches in all competitions, and conceded in 10 of those.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in their last three home matches.
- In 10 of the last 12 matches in all competitions played at Strasbourg's ground, both teams have scored.
Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Mike Penders — Amadou Sisse, Junior Mwanga, Lucas Hogsberg, Rafael Luis — Maxi Oyedele, Idrissa Sabaly — Gessime Yassine, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, Sebastian Nanasi — David Datro Fofana.
Absentees: Aaron Anselmino and Joaquin Panichelli — both injured; Gela Due is doubtful.
Nice Form
For Nice, the season is falling apart before our eyes. Fifteenth place in Ligue 1, one win in the last five rounds, heavy 0:4 defeats to Rennes and PSG, and a 1:3 loss to Strasbourg two weeks ago. In the last round they drew with Lille (0:0). The cup is the visitors' only realistic route into Europe, and that significantly changes their motivation.
Key Nice stats:
- They have conceded 56 goals this season — the second-worst record in Ligue 1.
- Their xG difference (-15.4) is among the worst in the league.
- Nice have scored against Strasbourg in each of the last five head-to-head meetings.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Probable lineup (5-4-1): Yehvann Diouf — Jonathan Clauss, Antoine Mendy, Juma Bah, Melvin Bard, Koyo Peprah — Mohamed-Ali Cho, Salis Abdul Samed, Tanguy Ndombele, Sofiane Diop — Evann Guessand.
Absentees: Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moise Bombito, Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Eric Pereira and Charles Vanhoutte — all injured.
