There’s something quite ironic yet fitting about Paris Saint-Germain facing off against Saint Etienne in the Coupe de France final.
I don’t need to introduce you to PSG, I’d imagine. The all-conquering mega-rich entity have swept all before them and become a major brand in world football due to heavy investment from Qatar.
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They have effectively made French football non-competitive as their star-studded lineups sweep the floor with anyone who dares to threaten their title reigns. Only Monaco interrupted that flow very briefly five years ago, but things haven’t exactly gone to plan for them since, either.
To further outline their dominance, the Parisians’ journey to the final has seen them outscore teams 19-2 en route. However, Saint-Etienne are effectively the antithesis of Paris Saint-German in a way. Their success in the 60s and 70s was organic, and even now, they’re the one team that the modern-day French giants can’t quite reach.
Is that likely to change in future? Of course. But as of right now, the working-class neighbourhood that they were founded tries to tackle the might of the giant, and it makes for a fascinating narrative ahead of a host of European cup finals in quick succession.
We don’t know how lucky we are. And I’ve a tasty little same-game multi for you fine folks, too.
Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw/PSG
There was a time in the not so distant past where PSG were slow starters. Unfortunately for the rest of Ligue 1, that fatal flaw has evaporated into thin air and now you’ll find that, not only do they come flying out of the blocks in general, but they had done excessively before the LFP called a halt to Ligue 1 proceedings.
However, we need to use English football’s return as a blueprint for our betting here and I’m sure you’ll all remember how tedious opening halves were when the Premier League kicked back into action.
PSG will absolutely go on to win this. But not without what will seem at the time to be a slight hiccup.
Both Teams to Score? Yes
It’s not for the attacking threat posed by Saint Etienne that I’m mentioning this, but more to do with how porous their back four is. Yes, that might sound strange, but the only time PSG play loosely is when they’ve already hit you for three or four.
This has long been considered their flaw; a mentality lapse that sees them come unstuck in European competition.
Expect the underdogs to benefit from more late-game oversight as the French galacticos strut their stuff in ignorance rather than diligence.
Kylian Mbappe to Score Anytime
He’s currently the best player in the world not named Lionel and I won’t have anyone argue with me. And perhaps the most impressive trait of Mbappe’s is that he frequently does it on the grandest of stages, which most find tricky, even when they’re consistent in their weekly league outings.
Greatness awaits, and it doesn’t seem like another big milestone in his career will pass him by without making his mark.
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Coupe de France tips summary:
Half-Time/Full-Time forecast: Draw/PSG
Both teams to score? Yes
To score anytime: Kylian Mbappe
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