PSG vs Brest – Coupe de France: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction

Paris Saint-Germain play host to Brest for the second time in as many weeks, with the two sides this time facing off in the Coupe de France round of 16.

PSG looked to be cruising to another Ligue 1 victory when Brest visited the Parc des Princes at the end of January, but the division’s plucky high-flyers staged an impressive second-half turnaround to snatch a point having fallen 2-0 behind.

Brest then drew away at second-placed Nice at the weekend which allowed Luis Enrique’s Parisiens to extend their lead at the summit to eight points following their 2-1 victory over Strasbourg.

PSG have so far made light work of lower league opposition to progress through the Coupe de France, with Wednesday’s visitors enjoying a similar journey – albeit without the same conviction. Brest have edged past Angers and Trelissac by one-goal margins.

Here’s 90min’s preview of PSG’s Coupe de France round of 16 tie.

Bradley Barcola is eligible again after serving a one-game suspension, but the young playmaker is unlikely to make Wednesday’s XI given the nature of his sending-off against Brest last time out.

Enrique can’t call upon injured defenders Milan Skriniar and Presnel Kimpembe for this one, with Nuno Mendes also out of action. Sergio Rico is a long-term absentee, while fringe performer Layvin Kurzawa is out with a back injury.

Achraf Hakimi could return to the starting lineup following Morocco’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, but Lee Kang-in is still away with South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup.

PSG predicted lineup vs Brest (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Mukiele; Ugarte, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Asensio, Ramos, Mbappe.

Kamory Doumbia can once again be called upon after returning from AFCON, but the Mali international is unlikely to start on Wednesday night.

Overall, there shouldn’t be many changes from the side that drew in Paris at the end of January. Although, Martin Satriano could retain his place in the team after impressing off the bench in the previous meeting.

Jordan Amavi is set to return soon from a calf injury, while Jeremy Le Douaron and Billal Brahimi are also sidelined.

Brest predicted lineup vs PSG (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Camara, Magnetti, Lees-Melou; Del Castillo, Satriano, Pereira Lage.

PSG were in cruise control against Brest two weekends ago, but Eric Roy’s gritty and spirited side were able to claim a point out of nothing.

Enrique named strong starting XIs for PSG’s previous matches in this competition, and that theme should continue in midweek with the Spaniard desperate to enjoy a trophy-laden debut season. However, murmurs in the French media regarding the conditioning of this PSG side could unsettle the hosts heading into the cup tie, with an opportunistic Brest keen to pounce on any vulnerabilities.

The visitors press superbly, although the hosts should be sturdier defensively and more proficient in the build-up given the names Enrique can now call upon compared to the previous meeting. A tight cup tie should be expected with PSG coming out on top.