Coupe de France Semifinal Preview
With the penultimate round of the Coupe de France set to kick off tomorrow, we look at what's at stake for the quartet of Ligue 1 McDonald's sides vying for a trophy.
Tuesday, 21 April: RC Lens vs Toulouse FC
Four days later, they're ready to renew their hostilities, but it will be no easy matter for Les Violets, who will have to bounce back from a frustrating loss on Friday. After going two goals up against the northern side, once Yann Gboho was sent off, things went from bad to worse for Toulouse, as they conceded three times in a tow to lose 3-2. Without the suspended duo of Mark McKenzie and Gboho, things will be no easier in this encounter.
Even with the title race in Ligue 1 McDonald's still in the frame thanks to Paris Saint-Germain's surprising loss to Lyon yesterday, Lens should still attack this match with plenty of gusto, and be brimming with confidence following their win on Friday. While the likes of Florian Thauvin and Odsonne Édouard had started the previous match on the bench, they should be part of a first-choice Sang et Or eleven here.
Predicted lineups:
RC Lens (3-4-3): Risser; Ganiou, Baidoo, Sarr, Abdulhamid, Sangaré, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Édouard, Saïd
Toulouse FC (3-4-3): Restes; Koumbassa (or Kamanzi), Cresswell, Nicolaisen; Sidibe, Casseres, Diop, Méthalie; Hidalgo, Emersonn, Dønnum
LENS' CRAZY COMEBACK V TOULOUSE 🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/FUOm2FMZtY
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 19, 2026
Wednesday, 22 April: RC Strasbourg vs OGC Nice
If the most recent clash between these two sides -- a 3-1 home win for the Alsatians on 4 April -- is anything by which to go, this match could be one way traffic in the extreme. Having heavily rotated at the weekend against Rennes, with the likes of Valentín Barco, Emanuel Emegha and Diego Moreira all rested, it's clear that Gary O'Neil is fully focused on this match. While fitness concerns linger over Guéla Doué and Ben Chilwell, even without his two fullbacks, his side's recent win over Les Aiglons showed their potency and hunger for a title.
As for the visitors, they're coming off a creditable scoreless draw against Lille at the weekend, but continue to have major fitness issues, with Dante and Charles Vanhoutte among those who are doubts for the match. They will, however, welcome Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui back into the side, the two midfielders having missed out on Saturday through suspension. Expect Nice to turn in a cagey performance, but likely fall short at what is sure to be a lively Meinau.
Predicted lineups:
RCSA (4-2-3-1): Penders; Ouattara (or Doué), Omobamidele, Doukouré, Chilwell; Barco, El Mourabet; Moreira, Enciso, Godo; Emegha
OGC Nice (3-5-2): Diouf; Mendy, Oppong, Bah; Clauss, Boudaoui, Abdul Samed, Sanson, Bard; Cho, Wahi
