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League 4 side Concarneau will take on current trophy holders Guingamp in the French Cup quarterfinals. The tie is played over a single leg and the match will take place on a neutral ground, at the Stadium of Lorient (artificial pitch).
Concarneau is the only amateur team still alive in the Cup but the fact is their performance is not anything extraordinary – Concarneau defeated a single team from the first two leagues, Ligue 2 side Nimes, so it`s safe to say they had a pretty lucky draw until now. The (on paper) home team is currently 3rd in the CFA Group D, they are eyeing promotion to the 3rd league and look like good value to achieve that, as they have two less games played than the first place and are tied in pointswith the second place.
Guingamp played really well at the start of 2015 but have lost form recently, losing the last 3 matches against Montpellier, Dynamo Kiev and Nantes. They are now out of the Europa League and sit comfortably midtable in Ligue 1, so the French Cup is the main objective. After the surprise success last year, Guingamp will feel confident that they can attack the final again once they reached this deep stage in the tournament. Similar to Concarneau, they did not meet any top sides so far, their toughest opponent being Chateauroux (2-0).
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Team news: Bad news for Concarneau as they might miss one of their best players, top stiker Kore. Guingamp doesn`t have any new relevant injury worries and the coach will send his best available lineup on the pitch – the Cup, as previously stated, is the number 1 objective right now.
These two sides actually met last year in Guingamp`s winning campaign in the French Cup and the Ligue 1 side had a tough game, winning in extra time. However, that happened in a very early stage in the competition, when upsets are very often. I can`t see Guingamp having that kind of trouble in the quarterfinals. Things are serious now and Guingamp will treat this with 100% focus and the best available lineup, also trying to make use of their vastly superior experience and benefit from the fact that they do not really play away from home, but on a neutral ground, packed with their own fans.
Concarneau did not take any big scalps so far so there is no precedent of upset – as far as I`m concerned Guingamp will not blow this chance and they will end up with a win in regular time. Despite their recent poor form, they are a very good side. My tip is Guingamp to win with a 1 goal asian handicap and I`ll invest reasonably high stakes on this bet. Prediction: Concarneau – Guingamp 0-2.
Pick: Guingamp (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.05 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.40
Event date: 5 March
