Fourth-tier Feignies-Aulnoye welcome Montpellier HSC to the northern tip of France in the final round of 32 clash in the Coupe de France on Wednesday, with a clash against Nice awaiting the winner.
The tie was initially scheduled for Saturday, but adverse weather conditions in Northern France saw the game postponed and rescheduled in a midweek slot.
Match preview
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Feignies are one of a number of sides a long way down the pyramid who sealed progression from the round of 64 at the start of 2024.
Their cup form has been a welcome distraction to some less-than-satisfactory league results though, as they remain in the relegation zone of Group D in the fourth tier.
This competition has been their only opportunity of getting game time given the extended winter break lower-league sides have in France, as they do not return to action in National 2 until the weekend, when they face league leaders Bourg en Bresse.
With five relegation spots in the 14-team league, Jean Antunes's side sit 13th, with just nine points from 11 games so far - five adrift of safety.
Three of their last five games have been in the Coupe though, and it has seemingly sparked a resurgence that they can take into the second half of the season.
After narrow wins at Bondues and Itancourt Neuville, Thomas De Parmentier's solitary strike saw Feignies pull off a cup upset, by knocking out Ligue 2 Quevilly Rouen in the previous round.
That has extended their recent run to just one defeat from eight games, after losing five of their first six.
In what will be a very long trip for the southern Ligue 1 side, Michel Der Zakarian's side will look to put some underwhelming league form to one side to seal a place in the last 16 here.
While recent form has not been up to scratch, another factor that could give Feignies increased confidence is the fact that Montpellier have suffered many shock defeats in this competition in recent years.
Ligue 2 Pau FC knocked them out last season, and fifth-tier clubs ASM Belfort and Entente Sannois Saint-Germain have both recorded shock wins over them in the past five years.
Montpellier have not won this competition since 1990, and have not reached a final since 1994, as they also come into the tie on the back of poor league form.
Der Zakarian's men are struggling in Ligue 1, as a 2-0 defeat at Brest last weekend means they are now just two points above the relegation zone in a congested bottom half.
The win over Ligue 2 Amiens in the previous round was just one of two in Montpellier's last 10, with pressure on Der Zakarian beginning to mount, as they slide down the table.
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Team News
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On the injury front, Feignies are set to be without Franck Vaast for this one, as the attacker is their only known absentee at present.
Despite both scoring in the win at Itancourt Neuville, Mohamed Lachaab and Giovanni Hospital were unused substitutes in the win over Quevilly Rouen.
Samuel Atrous should expect to start in goal though, after he was the hero in that round of 64 tie, saving a Quevilly penalty while his side were 1-0 up.
Montpellier are extremely stretched at the moment due to players being injured and away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Defence is particularly an area of concern, with Issiaga Sylla, Falaye Sacko and Kiki Kouyate all at AFCON, but Lucas Mincarelli should return after missing the clash with Brest.
After picking up bookings in that 2-0 defeat, Christopher Jullien and Joris Chotard will both be suspended for this clash, extending Montpellier's absentee list even further.
Arnaud Nordin did return from a calf injury last weekend, and Theo Sainte-Luce could make a comeback this time around, but Enzo Tchato is also away at AFCON with Cameroon.
Tanguy Coulibaly is set to be a late absentee after picking up a knock in training, meaning Sainte-Luce could be forced into the starting XI sooner than expected, with defender Becir Omeragic moving into midfielder.
Feignies-Aulnoye possible starting lineup:
Atrous; Dufour, Kouadio, Wackers, Azbague; Chah, Ouattara, Obino; De Parmentier, Bekhechi, Grasso
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Hefti, Esteve, Sainte-Luce, Mincarelli; Omeragic, Ferri, Nordin; Khazri, Yeboah, Fayad
We say: Feignies-Aulnoye 0-2 Montpellier HSC
This set of players are already history makers, as this is the further Feignies have ever got in the Coupe, as their previous best was a round of 64 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, but another defeat against top-tier opposition looks likely.
With Der Zakarian's job coming under more scrutiny, he must ensure his side seals a safe passage into the last 16 here, otherwise the board may be forced into a decision.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
