2023 Coupe de France winners Toulouse will aim to make it into the next round of the competition when they host second-tier Laval at Toulouse Stadium on Wednesday.
The visitors have made a habit of forcing penalty shootouts in this season's competition, winning all three rounds via spot kicks, showcasing resilience and determination.
Match preview
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Toulouse narrowly avoided a shock exit in the round of 64, needing penalties to overcome fifth-tier side Hauts Lyonnais in a fiery encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Despite the scare, Les Violets remain favourites, thanks to a solid Ligue 1 campaign that has them sitting eighth in the table with 24 points, just four shy of a European spot.
However, their momentum was halted last weekend in a 2-1 home defeat to Strasbourg, ending a four-game unbeaten streak at the Toulouse Stadium, which included three consecutive wins.
Carles Martinez Novell's side will hope to capitalise on home advantage, but memories of last season's shock round-of-32 exit to lower-tier FC Rouen, in a marathon 12-11 penalty shootout, linger as a cautionary tale.
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Meanwhile, Laval's path to this stage has been marked by gritty determination – Les Tango have drawn all three of their Coupe de France matches so far, before prevailing in shootouts.
A goalless draw against Vitre ended with a 5-4 victory on penalties, followed by a 5-3 shootout triumph in the eighth round after a dramatic 2-2 draw, and most recently, they edged Merignac Athletic Sport 4-3 on penalties after another goalless stalemate in the round of 64.
The second-tier side is aiming to reach the round of 16 for the second successive season, after a respectable run last year ended in a 2-1 loss to Le Puy Foot.
However, the specter of their 1987-88 campaign looms over the visitors, when they were eliminated from the competition with a 2-0 defeat to Toulouse in the third round—a reminder of the challenges they face against the hosts.
Team News
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Toulouse remain without key defender Rasmus Nicolaisen, who is sidelined with an ankle injury until later this month.
Midfielder Vincent Sierro also remains unavailable due to a leg injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
For Laval, defensive options are limited with center-back William Bianda ruled out due to an ankle injury.
Peter Ouaneh also remains sidelined, having been out of action since October with a patellar tendon tear.
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Akdag, Cresswell, McKenzie; Doennum, Canvot, Suazo, Casseres Jr.; Gboho, Aboukhlal; King
Laval possible starting lineup:
Hautbois; Cherni, Bianda, Tavares, Adilehou, Goncalves; Pereira, Roye, Thomas, Zohi; Tchokounte
We say: Toulouse 2-1 Laval
Toulouse should assert their Ligue 1 quality at home, but Laval's knack for dragging games into penalties cannot be ignored.
While the visitors will likely defend resolutely, the penultimate Coupe de France champions have the firepower to break through and secure progression, potentially in a hard-fought, narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
