MY ACCOUNT
– France began Euro 2024 qualifying with 4-0 home win over Netherlands on Friday
– Ireland beat Latvia 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday
– Recommended bet: France/France in Half Time/Full Time
Republic of Ireland start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a huge test against World Cup runners-up France, who hammered the Netherlands 4-0 on Friday.
Les Bleus are expected to make it two wins from two in Group B against Stephen Kenny’s side, who beat Latvia 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday.
France overpowered the Dutch in Paris and Ireland may struggle to keep Kylian Mbappe and co at bay in Dublin.
Team news
Ireland captain Seamus Coleman missed the win over Latvia due to a thigh injury but the Everton defender could be back to face France.
Josh Cullen and Jason Knight are pushing for starts in midfield but Will Smallbone impressed on his senior international bow on Wednesday and will hope to keep his place in Kenny’s side.
Liverpool number two Caoimhin Kelleher’s position in the starting line-up is under threat with Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu tipped to return in goal for the Irish.
Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson marked his first senior start for his country with his first goal against Latvia and should keep his place up front.
William Saliba and Wesley Fofana withdrew from the French squad with injuries last week and are set to miss the trip to the Aviva Stadium.
New captain and talisman Mbappe seems certain to start but coach Didier Deschamps may opt to make some changes with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Olivier Giroud and Benjamin Pavard under consideration.
The stats
Ireland have won four of their last seven games, beating Scotland, Armenia, Malta and Latvia, while they have also lost to Scotland and Norway and drawn with Ukraine in that run.
France’s eventual defeat to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final in Qatar is their only loss in their last five games.
Les Bleus have won four of the last five meetings between the two countries, the last being a 2-0 friendly victory in Paris in May 2018.
The 1-1 draw in 2009 in a World Cup play-off second leg clash gave France a 2-1 win on aggregate to send them through to the finals in South Africa the following year and knocked Ireland out.
Prediction
France looked at the top of their game against an admittedly under-strength Dutch side, comfortably winning 4-0 after being 2-0 up after just eight minutes.
Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe were both on the scoresheet with the latter notching a brace, while Randal Kolo Muani, despite failing to score, caught the eye in a central role up front.
The visitors have attacking quality in abundance with the vastly-experienced Giroud also in the squad and this clash could follow a similar pattern to their opening qualifier with France expected to dominate both halves.
Back France/France in Half Time/Full Time at 11/10 with LiveScore Bet.
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