Les Blues are strong favourites to win in Dublin on Monday according to these Euro 2024 qualification Ireland vs. France predictions. The hosts have not beaten their visitors in over 40 years and face a tough task at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland vs. France odds
1 – France to win – 10/17
2 – France to score over 2.5 goals – 23/20
3 – France to score first – 6/13
4 – Both teams to score -5/7
5 – Evan Ferguson to score anytime
Ireland kick-off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign on Monday, as they take on World Cup runners-up France at the Aviva Stadium. Having missed match day one of the competition, Stephen Kenny will be well aware that his side will be playing catch-up for the first few rounds.
It will come as no surprise that the visitors go into the clash as heavy favourites, as despite their failure to retain the World Cup in December, they surprised many to reach the final. Didier Deschamps’ side may be undergoing a changing of the guard, but it remains one of the very best in world football and will be confident ahead of the trip to Dublin.
France have quality across the pitch. But it is up front that they are particularly ruthless. Kenny will have no need to warn his players of the skills of Kylian Mbappe, but Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram are also having fantastic seasons.
Given the sheer quality of offensive players on the pitch, it would be no surprise to see the visitors score over 2.5 goals at the Aviva Stadium. Mbappe, who won the golden boot in Qatar, is unsurprisingly the bookmakers’ favourite to open the scoring.
In spite of France’s overt superiority on paper, it would do Ireland a disservice to completely write them off. The Boys in Green secured a draw against Belgium last year and will benefit from fresh legs, unlike their opponents.
Furthermore, breakout striker Evan Ferguson has the potential to revolutionise Stephen Kenny’s attack, offering a physicality that could cause problems for the visitors. Throughout their qualification campaign Les Blues secured just one clean sheet and have a few key defensive personnel missing for Monday’s game.
While outscoring their visitors may be a step too far, a wager on Ireland to put one past Lloris may well be worth the odds – and we back Evan Ferguson to be the one to do it.
How to stream Republic of Ireland vs. France
Watch Ireland vs. France live on Monday evening on Viaplay Sports 1 with a monthly subscription.
Republic of Ireland vs. France last five matches
Republic of Ireland last five matches
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Latvia
Malta 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia
Scotland 2-1 Republic of Ireland
France last five matches
Republic of Ireland top goalscorers
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France top goalscorers
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Republic of Ireland vs. France line-ups
Republic of Ireland (3-5-2): Kelleher; Coleman, Egan, Collins; Doherty, Brown, Cullen, McGrath, MacClean; Ferguson, Robinson
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Kounde, Upamecano, Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Thuram
Republic of Ireland team news
Michael Johnston has received his first Ireland call up and could well feature on Monday evening, while Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah both return to the squad. Evan Ferguson is set to start up front, having impressed for Brighton this season.
France team news
William Saliba and Wesley Fofana have both withdrawn from the squad in a blow for Didier Deschamps. Karim Benzema has retired from international duty, while Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele and N’Golo Kante all remain sidelined through injury.