Against All Odds: Coup de Goals

14May 2013

Betfair

It's the second semi-final of the Coup de France this evening with the winner going on to play Evian TG in the final and Paul Robinson thinks we could be in for plenty of goals between Troyes and Bordeaux.

ESTAC Troyes have had a troubled season in Ligue One since their promotion last year and with just two games to go, they are three points and two places adrift of safety. They are battling hard though and having won three of their last four, they've at least given themselves a chance of survival.

It's been a much more successful story in the Coup de France though as Jean-Marc Furlan's side have won all four of their games so far and are just one away from making the final. After despatching minnows, Montceau and Fontenay in the opening rounds, they've taken out Ligue One's Sochaux and Nancy in the last 16 and quarter-finals - winning the latter by a resounding three goals to nil.

Troyes have been involved in some low scoring games in the league this season - although two of their last four have had three or more - however in the cup, all three of their recent ties have gone over 2.5 and that includes a 5-0 victory.

Bordeaux have struggled to cope with juggling their domestic fixtures along with their European commitments and it's told in their current league position. After finishing last year in fifth, they are only eighth this time around and that's been improved by a recent spell of one defeat in nine since they were knocked out of the Europa.

Francis Gillot's men have been pretty woeful in front of goal in Ligue One this term and their total of 38 scored is the fourth worst in the entire division. Interestingly though, in the cup, The Girondins netted three against Chateauroux and Lens and two against Moulins and Raon-I'Etape. They've also failed to keep a clean sheet in the competition to date.

A place in the final would give either side a boost in what has been disappointing campaigns for the pair. They've seemingly both played with the pressure off in this competition and I think we could be in for at least three goals inside the 90 minutes. That's why, with under 2.5 goals trading as low as 1.67, I have to make it my lay of the day.