The World Cup holders get their campaign underway on Tuesday and these France vs. Australia predictions look positive for the champions. Les Blues have struggled in recent months but will be confident of a victory on match day one.
France vs. Australia odds
1 – France to win – 3/11
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 5/4
3 – France to keep a clean sheet – 7/10
4 – Kylian Mbappe to score first – 3/1
5 – Oliver Giroud to score anytime – 39/10
France kick off their World Cup campaign with a fixture against the seventh lowest ranked team in the competition, Australia. The Socceroos come into the tournament off the back of a strong qualification campaign but have had limited recent experience against top-class opposition.
Recent fixtures have been less kind to Les Blues who, remarkably, have won just one of their last six matches. A combination of injuries and an effort to usher in a new era of French stars resulted in a poor Nations League performance and the World Cup will be a welcome opportunity to restore their reputation.
In spite of their form, it comes as no surprise that the current World Cup holders are overwhelming favourites on match day one, coming up against a side that have never previously got past the Round of 16.
That having been said, Tuesday’s fixture will by no means be a walk in the park for France. They had a torrid time against Australia in the 2018 edition of the competition, relying on a penalty and an own goal to ensure their progress.
Australia will set up with a low block, relying on tall centre-backs to clear anything that comes their way. Given recent struggles up front, it would be no surprise to see France struggle to break down their opponents once again and we back a bet on under 2.5 goals scored.
A low goal count will likely work to Les Bleus’ advantage however, as the Socceroos lack quality up front. France may be lacking their top-choice defensive partnership, but Australia may well be too concerned with defending to offer much of a threat themselves.
In terms of the threat from France, Didier Deschamps will be very much looking to two men in particular. Kylian Mbappe has been the face of French football since their last World Cup triumph and is our tip to score first.
However, it is Olivier Giroud who has an eye on the history books. The forward is within three goals of Thierry Henry’s all-time record for his country, and the Milan striker has a habit of scoring late goals as the opposition tire.
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France vs. Australia last five matches
France last five matches
Denmark 2 – 0 France
France 2 – 0 Austria
France 0 – 1 Croatia
Austria 1 – 1 France
Croatia 1– 1 France
Australia last five matches
New Zealand 1-1 Australia
Australia 1-0 New Zealand
Australia 1-0 Peru
UAE 1-2 Australia
Australia 2-0 Jordan
France top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Kylian Mbappe – 2
Adrien Rabiot – 1
Karim Benzema – 1
Olivier Giroud – 1
Australia top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Jamie Maclaren – 7
Harry Souttar – 6
Mitchell Duke – 5
Jackson Irvine – 4
Mathew Leckie – 4
France vs. Australia line-ups
France (3-4-1-2) Lloris; Kounde, Saliba, Badiashile; Pavard, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Mendy; Griezmann; Giroud, Mbappe
Australia (4-5-1) Ryan; Atkinson, Wright, Rowles, Behich; Boyle, Mooy, Hrustic, Irvine, Leckie; Duke
France team news
An injury-plagued squad could result in an unconventional starting XI from Didier Deschamps. Injuries to Presnel Kimpembe and Rafael Varane mean that the manager is without his first-choice centre-backs. Likewise, with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante unavailable for selection, a younger midfield pairing is expected. Karim Benzema’s fitness remains an issue, which could see Olivier Giroud handed a start.
Australia team news
Graham Arnold is unlikely to spring too many surprises for Tuesday’s game. A defensive set-up may see Matthew Leckie start over the more offensive Martin Boyle, while the fitness of Harry Souttar could see Bailey Wright feature at centre-back.