France will face Republic of Ireland in a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying match at Parc des Princes on Thursday evening.
With a perfect record so far in Group B, France aims to extend their winning streak against an Ireland side seeking revenge after their previous defeat.
After their heartbreaking loss to Argentina in the World Cup final, France has shown great resilience by winning all four of their Euro 2024 qualifying matches.
They have achieved a 100% record, earning victories against Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, and Greece while keeping four clean sheets.
In their recent match against Greece, captain Kylian Mbappe scored the winning goal with a retaken penalty, solidifying his status as the highest-scoring Frenchman in a single season.
The French team is well on track to secure their ninth successive European Championships. With victory against Ireland, a team they haven’t lost to in their last seven encounters, France can move closer to clinching top spot in Group B.
Impressively, France hasn’t lost any of their previous 11 home matches against Ireland, highlighting their dominance.
During their previous home game at Parc des Princes, France displayed their prowess with an 8-0 victory over Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier, featuring a remarkable four-goal performance by Mbappe.
On the other hand, Republic of Ireland started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with back-to-back defeats against France and Greece.
However, they bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, earning their first three points in the tournament.
With five more qualifiers to play, Ireland remains in contention for a top-two spot in Group B, but they face the challenge of the Netherlands, who have a game in hand.
Stephen Kenny’s side aims to find consistency, having experienced mixed results in their last 18 months of international fixtures.
Ireland has won six, drawn two, and lost six of their previous 14 matches in all competitions. While their away form has been modest, they have displayed resilience in competitive away matches, losing by only a one-goal margin in their last seven defeats.
In terms of team news, France will miss the services of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Wesley Fofana due to injuries.
However, the return of Lucas Hernandez, who recovered from an ACL injury, adds strength to their defense.
Midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba will be absent, but Adrien Rabiot has made a comeback after being sidelined with an injury.
The midfield competition will be intense, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga vying for a place alongside Rabiot.
For Republic of Ireland, young talent Evan Ferguson is ruled out due to a knee injury, joining Seamus Coleman and Michael Obafemi in the treatment room.
Matt Doherty will also be absent due to suspension. Festy Ebosele may make his international debut as a right wing-back, while Chiedozie Ogbene is likely to partner Adam Idah in the attack.
Predicted Lineups:
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu; O’Shea, Egan, Collins; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Browne, Manning; Ogbene, Idah
In our prediction, we anticipate France securing a comfortable victory with a 3-0 scoreline against Republic of Ireland.
While Ireland has shown resilience in the past, the quality and attacking prowess of the French team should ultimately prevail.