The preview: Paris-Nice

THE STORY SO FAR

Paris Saint-Germain started their Coupe de France adventure with a 9-0 win over amateur side US Revel (Régional 1),  before winning 4-1 at third-tier US Orléans (National 1). Then came the biggest test to date in the shape of Stade Brestois 29; the Bretons were defeated 3-1 at the Parc des Princes to put the Rouge et Bleu within a win of the semi-finals.

As for OGC Nice, they squeezed past the current Ligue 2 leaders, AJ Auxerre, in the Round of 64 (0-0, 4-2 pens.). There was another second-tier big gun in the shape of the Girondins de Bordeaux to see off in the next round (2-3) before a handsome 4-1 victory over fellow Ligue 1 side Montpellier HSC propelled Le Gym into the last eight.

CURRENT FORM

This will be the 29th Coupe de France quarter-final in Paris Saint-Germain history - they have won their last seven matches at this stage of the competition. It's been 10 years and a 2-1 defeat by Montpellier in January 2014 since Paris lost at home in the Coupe de France. Since, there have been 15 wins and 1 draw...which ended in a 6-5 penalty shoot-out loss to Nice in 2022. To try and change the outcome this time round, the hosts can count on Kylian Mbappé, who has been involved in 15 goals in his last four Coupe de France ties (11 goals, 4 assists).

Nice will try to repeat their performance of 15 September last year when they inflicted the only home league defeat of the season on the capital club (2-3). Le Gym have qualified in each of the duo's previous cup meetings. In fact, Nice are the only club to have secured a clean sheet at the Parc in the hosts' last 51 Coupe de France ties on their own turf.

OPPOSITION STRENGTH

Francesco Farioli lines up his team primarily in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Poland international Marcin Bulka is now firmly established as Nice's number one. The former Parisian goalkeeper boasts an 80% save percentage in the Coupe de France this season. In front of him, Dante (40 years old) remains a crucial member of the backline, and he has an excellent understanding with France international Jean-Clair Todibo. On the right, Valentin Rosier is injured, so Switzerland international Jordan Lotomba will start. 

Former Lyon man Melvin Bard is in competition with Romain Perraud for the left-back role. Youssouf Ndayishimiye is a doubt due to a thigh problem. If he cannot start, Pablo Rosario could take the defensive midfield position. Algeria international Hicham Boudaoui and France international Khéphren Thuram are likely to start, but Morgan Sanson returned last weekend and is available. Alexis Claude-Maurice is a more unlikely option.

Up front, prolific goalscorer Terem Moffi (7 goals, 2 assists in all competitions this season) should start given he is regularly preferred to Evann Guessand (5 goals, 2 assists). On the right, Gaëtan Laborde (4 goals, 2 assists) and January arrival Mohamed-Ali Cho (1 goal, 1 assist) are both serious options. Africa Cup of Nations winner Jérémie Boga (4 goals, 2 assists) is the number one choice on the left, though the upcoming league encounter with RC Lens could determine selection.