Prediction: France vs Italy

Verdict: France win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight European showdown on Friday night, France will welcome Italy to Paris when both camps get their respective Nations League adventures underway.

France

Starting with the hosts, while France might have opened their European Championship campaign pencilled in as a standout contender, Les Blues largely flattered to deceive over in Germany. Eventually crashing out at the semi-final stage after slumping to a 2-1 loss at the hands of eventual winners Spain, some were surprised to see Didier Deschamps keep his job in the Paris dugout. Scrapping their way to the knockout stage back in June as they claimed just a single victory from any of their three Group D appearances. Desperately seeking a much-welcomed boost on Friday night, France are also seeking a clinical edge in the final third. Remarkably registering just a pair of goals from open play during their EURO 24 adventure over the summer. Likewise, the former world champions have failed to record more than a single strike in any of their last seven appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Opening his La Liga account with a brace against Real Betis last weekend, new Real Madrid icon Kylian Mbappe will lead France out on Friday night and earn an 85th international cap in Paris. Completing a big-money move to German giants Bayern Munich this summer, Michael Olise has been included in Deschamps’ squad.

However, suffering a recent shin injury and set for a stint on the sidelines, Ferland Mendy has been forced to withdraw from France’s squad. Starting in all three of Aston Villa’s Premier League appearances so far this season, Lucas Digne has been called up for defensive cover.

Italy

As for the visitors, although Italy might have opened their EURO 24 adventure tipped as a potential dark horse contender, the Azzurri endured a public struggle. Eventually crashing out at the Round of 16 stage following an infamous 2-0 defeat at the hands of Switzerland back on June 29th, Luciano Spalletti’s side have faced a public backlash over the past couple of months. Failing to collect back-to-back competitive victories over the past year, the ex-Napoli boss should be bracing himself for a stern challenge when his squad travel to Paris on Friday night. Hit with a 3-1 defeat when they last met France back in June 2018, Italy will be concerned by a nightmare record against their fellow European icons. In fact, the Azzurri have lost all of their previous three battles against the former world champions by an aggregate score of 8-3.

Team News

Making a first Premier League appearance of 2024 last weekend after returning from a 10-month ban, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been rewarded with a recall. However, despite completing a move to English giants Liverpool last week, former Juventus star Federico Chiesa misses out and will not feature in Pais.

In what was a shock inclusion, Leicester City defender Caleb Okoli has been handed a first senior call-up and could make his international debut this weekend. Short on attacking options this month, one-time Everton loanee Moise Kean could be handed the chance to spearhead Italy’s charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When France and Italy last met back in June 2018, Les Bleus picked up a 3-1 victory in Paris.
• France have won all of their previous three showdowns against Friday’s guests by an aggregate score of 8-3.
• However, Les Blues have failed to record more than a single strike in all of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
• Italy have registered just a single strike in over 300 minutes of action.
• The Azzurri have failed to record back-to-back competitive victories over the past 11 months.

Conclusion

Enduring what was a largely frustrating summer over in Germany, France should be relishing a return to Paris on Friday night. Looking to make an early Nations League statement on home soil, Les Bleus will be excited by a dominant record against their fellow European heavyweights. Storming their way to a 3-1 victory when they welcomed Italy to Paris for a friendly showdown back in June 2018, we are expecting a similar home win here.

Verdict: France win 

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet