Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
Looking to extend on their European Championship qualifying adventure on Thursday night, France will welcome Ireland to the Parc des Princes.
France
Starting with the hosts, while France might have suffered major World Cup final heartbreak out in Qatar last winter, Les Bleus certainly aren’t showing any signs of a hangover. Last seen signing off June’s international break with a rugged 1-0 victory at home against Greece, it is no surprise that Didier Deschamps’ men are cruising their way to another major tournament. Opening their Group B campaign back on March 24th with a stunning display in Paris as they claimed a 4-0 romp against the Netherlands, France will simply be looking to make another statement here. Winning each of their opening four qualifying appearances by an aggregate score of 9-0, it appears that the mood in the Blues’ camp is at a real high heading into Thursday’s showdown at the Parc des Princes.
Team News
Suffering a cruciate ligament rupture at the World Cup last winter, defender Lucas Hernandez has been handed a full recall this month. However, the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante have both been left out of Deschamps’ squad.
Heading into the international break with a brace away at Lyon last weekend and already notching five Ligue 1 strikers, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France’s charge in Paris. The PSG icon will likely be joined in the final third by former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud on Thursday night.
Ireland
As for the visitors, while Ireland might have opened their European Championship qualifying adventure in the midst of a real rut, Stephen Kenny’s men certainly signed off June’s international break with a much-needed boost. Last seen cruising their way to a routine 3-0 victory at home against Gibraltar, the Greens are still dreaming of the chance to book their first appearance at a major tournament since 2012. However, facing a real uphill struggle in Group B as they try to hold off the Netherlands, Ireland will also know that they face a heavyweight challenge when they travel out to Paris here. Opening up their Group B campaign on March 27th as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Les Bleus, Kenny’s side have won just one of their previous nine appearances against the former world champions a run that stems all the way back to March 1977.
Team News
Udinese defender Festy Ebosele is in line for his senior Ireland debut on Thursday night. Likewise, the duo of Aaron Connolly and Will Keane have both been handed a full recall to Kenny’s squad this month.
Heading into the international break with a stunning hat-trick at home against Newcastle last weekend, the red-hot Even Ferguson will spearhead Kenny’s attack here. Sheffield United defender John Egan should once again partner Brentford’s Nathan Collins at the back.
Key Factors to Consider
