Lille lead Ligue 1 and have sauntered into the Cup final despite having a smaller squad than the likes of PSG and being the pick of only the shrewdest and most risk-taking gamblers at the start of the campaign.
Their charge towards a possible second double, having first achieved the feat in 1946, has stunned even the club president who thought this term would be one of consolidation before moving into a new stadium next year.
Instead, the 'Mastiffs' have hounded opponents into submission and snarled their way through matches with a dash of pedigree talent like winger Eden Hazard also making the difference.
Tuesday's 2-1 win at tricky customers St Etienne made their first league title since 1954 look increasingly likely and Cup final success on a rare visit to the Stade de France could do them a power of good for the championship run-in.
"This is the best preparation for Saturday's final," coach Rudi Garcia told reporters after the midweek victory.
"The cup final is a real event for our club and we fully intend to win."
PSG, who beat Monaco after extra-time to triumph in last year's showpiece, have had an up and down season in comparison to Lille but victory on Saturday would go some way to appeasing their success-hungry fans.
Tuesday's 2-2 home draw with third-bottom AS Nancy in Ligue 1 summed up their problems, decent in attack but occasionally weak in defence.
"This French Cup means a lot to us. We hold it dear, we will try everything to keep hold of it," said PSG forward Guillaume Hoarau.
"When you are a player and you find yourself in a final it's very important."
