13th June 2017 Kickoff: 2000hrs France v England – Football – International – Friendly Both France and England were disappointing in their respective qualifiers over the weekend and will now have to wait until September before resuming their competitive action. This friendly, to be played in Paris, will be the only game either have before World Cup qualification resumes and although it comes at the end of a long, hard and enduring European season, it will be important for Didier Deschamps and Gareth Southgate’s future planning.
Everything looked to be going so well for France when Oliver Giroud continued his excellent scoring form in International football by netting a superb strike towards the end of the first half. The French were unable to hold on to that lead for any length of time and went in at the break level. It appeared as though the game was going to finish 1-1 until a terrible decision by captain Hugo Lloris presented Sweden with half a chance which they duly obliged to take. The result now leaves France with a battle on their hands in the race for automatic qualification as Deschamps men now sit in second spot by virtue of goal difference and also have resurgent Dutch breathing down their necks. It makes their next game – at home to the Netherlands – even more significant and almost a must win with qualifiers fast running out. Until then it’s all about the development of some of the younger players in this squad as they gear up for what will be a World Cup year.
I mentioned in my preview for the weekend that Scotland v England games rarely disappoint and that was certainly the case on Saturday – for the last half hour at least. Southgate’s men deservedly took the lead midway through the second half and were well set to record another win over their oldest rivals. That was until Leigh Griffiths produced two moments of magic from free kicks and get Scotland within touching distance of a famous victory, only for Harry Kane to pop up in injury time and break the hearts of Gordon Strachan and his players, not to mention the whole country of Scotland. For England it was one point closer to Russia but they did see their lead at the top of the section cut to two points courtesy of a win for Slovakia. England remain heavy favourites to remain in first spot, though, but the weekend’s results have made things a bit tougher than was expected. Southgate may use this game to blood some of his more inexperienced players, too, with Joe Hart coming under pressure in particular following the draw with Scotland.
France v England Betting Tip
This will be the first time these two nations have faced off against each other since they met only days after the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris towards the end of 2015. England were 2-0 winners on that occasion but they may find Tuesday’s game more difficult to get a positive result. I alluded to some of the exciting talent that France in their squad at the moment ahead of the defeat to Sweden but Deschamps decided to opt for experience – even though many of them are not in form. It is anticipated that the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe will be given a chance to impress tomorrow, though, and they will relish the opportunity to test themselves against an England defence who looked suspect at times on Saturday. Tom Heaton and Jack Butland are likely to feature in goals for the visitors at different times of the game and although both are very talented, they will be put under severe pressure. England themselves have a terrible recent record playing away to France and it’s a run I can see continuing tomorrow against a French team who routinely win home friendly games.
France 20/21 @ Paddy Power
