Ireland vs. France: preview and betting tips

Monday’s football programme will feature a clash between Ireland and France in the World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. While the hosts are eager to go to the top event for the first time in eight years, for the visitors participation is a given. What to expect from the match?

Ireland did not play in the first round of qualifying, beating Latvia 3-2 in a friendly. Last year, it saved itself in Group B of the Nations League, with only the last-mentioned being worse in the competition between Scotland, Ukraine and Armenia.

France beat the Dutch 4: 0 at the start of the qualifiers to follow up a successful World Cup in Qatar. There, they reached the final, where they failed to beat the star Lionel Messi. The core of the team has been together since the tournament, finishing with Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris.

Ireland’s key figures

Eighteen-year-old striker Evan Ferguson shines in a Brighton jersey, scoring eight times and assisting four times for the A-team this season. The defensive pairing of Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton) is growing with great potential.

France’s key figures

The visitors are led by World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappé in Qatar. He boasts a 31+8 record on the club scene, downing the Dutch with two goals. Versatile attacking partner Randal Kolo Muani has netted 16 goals and assisted 12.

What to expect and what to bet on?

Ireland’s offense isn’t working too well, lacking a goal scorer at an ideal age. It has scored more than once in only two of its last eight games. It even came up empty against Ukraine and Armenia.

The French, on the other hand, have been on fire in attack, thanks to the Griezmann, Mbappé pairing, scoring more than once in seven of their last eight games. Mbappé’s hat-trick gave Argentina a treble in the World Cup final.

Considering the well-functioning French attack, the ramp-up factor of Mbappé and Griezmann, and Ireland’s shooting impotence, I think the favorite will win and at least two goals will fall.

Source: UEFA