📰 Table Of Contents
Recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS]
World Cup Big5
France are one of the teams featured on this week’s World Cup Big5 – the second round during the World Cup. With more than £1,000 up for grabs, predict the outcome of five matches for just £5 and give yourself a chance of claiming the prize fund.
For more details, follow the link below.
Match preview
After surviving a bit of an opening night scare, France are looking to book their place in the knockout phase.
Les Bleus actually went 1-0 down to rank outsiders Australia on Tuesday, leading to many whispering the phrase champions curse.
Nevertheless, Didier Deschamps’ team roared back, eventually winning 4-1 and, in truth, it could’ve been even more.
Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappé on target, but all the headlines were about Olivier Giroud who, with a brace, became France’s joint-leading goalscorer of all-time.
More importantly, should the reigning champions of the world win in Doha, they’ll be through to the last 16, almost certainly as group winners.
Denmark though are unbeaten in three meetings with les Blues, beating them home and away in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year.
De Rød-Hvide were also expected to advance through Group D, but were held to a goalless draw by Tunisia in their opener.
Andreas Cornelius failing to bundle the ball home from mere picometers out mid-way through the second half.
Having reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020, many were tipping Kasper Hjulmand’s team for a deep run at this competition.
However, if Denmark are beaten here, they’d be under serious pressure going into Wednesday’s clash with Australia.
Will the Danes winning streak against France continue, or will les Bleus’ quality see them to victory at Stadium 974?
France team news
Just before Australia’s goal, Lucas Hernandez suffered an horrific ACL injury that’ll keep him out for many months.
So, his brother Theo, who’s 20 months younger, will now be France’s left-back going forward.
Elsewhere, the XI could remain unchanged, with Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano continuing at centre-back while Raphaël Varane comes back from injury.
Hugo Lloris will win his 141st cap in goal, needing one more to match Lilian Thuram’s national record.
With N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba sidelined, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot will continue at the base of midfield.
Will this be the big night for Olivier Giroud, needing just one more goal to become France’s record-holder?
Three of his 51 have come against Denmark, only netting more against Australia and Iceland, so this seems plausible.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Konaté, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Mbappé, Griezmann, Dembélé; Giroud.
Denmark team news
Kasper Hjulmand had experimented with a back four during the UEFA Nations League, but reverted to the tried and trusted back three against Tunisia.
A major blow for Denmark is the fact Thomas Delaney’s tournament is over, suffering a knee injury on matchday one.
So, Mathias Jensen is set to come into midfield, alongside Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
At the back, Andreas Christensen’s availability allows them to deploy a back three, and he’ll keep his place.
Christian Eriksen will continue in a free midfield role; only four Danes have scored more than his 39 international goal.
Andreas Skov Olsen and Kasper Dolberg led the line on Tuesday; both scored in a 2-0 win over France in September.
This is likely to remain the case here, although Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Yurary Poulsen and Andreas Cornelius are all viable alternatives in reserve.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjær, Anderson; Kristensen Højbjerg, Jensen, Mæhle, Eriksen; Skov Olsen, Dolberg.
France vs Denmark: Head to head statistics
[STATISTICS]
