PSG vs Bastia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

The winter break in France comes to an end this weekend, and sides are going straight in to French Cup action. PSG boss Unai Emery didn’t have a great first half to his debut season with the French champions. Can the former Sevilla boss inspire them to better things in the second half?

He’ll certainly be expected to pick up some silverware in the Coupe de France, given how the Parisians dominate French football. They’ve been handed a pretty straightforward tie to open 2017, as they host Ligue 1 side Bastia. They shouldn’t have too many problems, especially with new £34million signing Julian Draxler set to make his debut.

PSG are looking to win the French Cup for the third season running, their last defeat in this competition came back in January 2014. It’s not far off three years to the day since that loss at home to Montpellier. Could Bastia pull off a similar shock result here? A defeat like that would certainly increase the pressure on Emery, who has yet to fully adjust to life in Ligue 1. There are even rumours that the club are eyeing up replacements, should they sack the Spaniard.

However, Bastia don’t look like they’ll pose any kind of threat based on their recent form. Les Bleus have averaged just 0.78 points per game away from home this season, while they’ve lost 67% of games on their travels. That’s hardly the kind of record which points to a shock victory at the home of the champions.

Bastia have managed to score just 0.89 goals per game away from home, while they’ve failed to score in 44% of their away games. PSG may find themselves third in Ligue 1 after a tough season, but they’ve been impressive at their own ground so far in the league. They’re unbeaten at home, while they’ve conceded in just 20% of their outings here. The French champions concede just 0.3 goals per game at the Parc des Princes.

PSG have managed to win to nil in 70% of their home league games. Meanwhile, Bastia have lost to nil in almost half of their away matches in Ligue 1. Given Bastia’s form coming into the game, and their awful record at the Parc des Princes, we’re backing a home win to nil at 5/6 with bet365.