Prediction: France vs Netherlands

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two European giants who will be looking to get their Group B campaign off to a flying start on Friday night, France will welcome the Netherlands to Paris.

France

Starting with the hosts, eventually suffering real World Cup heartbreak out in Qatar over the winter, France will be desperate to prove that they aren’t showing any signs of a hangover. Missing out on the chance to be crowned back-to-back world champions in the Middle East as they fell to a stunning penalties defeat at the hands of Argentina, Didier Deschamps’ side still gained plenty of plaudits. Rightfully still regarded to be among world football’s very elite, Les Bleus should also be excited to make a return to Paris on Friday night. Opening their Euro qualifying adventure seen as a standout pick to clinch top spot in Group B, France will know that they have plenty of pressure on their shoulders. However, last seen in the capital claiming a 2-0 victory against Austria while on Nations League duties back on September 22nd, Deschamps’ squad are unbeaten in each of their last qualifying appearances on home soil.

Team News

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been handed his first call-up to the senior France squad this month. Following Hugo Lloris’ international retirement, Mike Maignan could be handed a start between the sticks here.

Appointed Les Bleus’ full-time captain earlier in the week, PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France’s attack on Friday night. the 24-year-old will likely be joined by AC Milan veteran Olivier Giroud.

Netherlands

As for the visitors, while the Netherlands might have been disappointed after only settling for a World Cup quarter-final spot over the winter, they have only continued on a remarkable rise over recent times. Despite falling to eventual winners Argentina following another nail-biting penalty shootout, the Oranges should still find the mood in their camp at a real high. Turning back to former boss Ronald Koeman earlier in the year following Louis van Gaal’s retirement, the one-time Everton boss will be looking to get his return to the dugout off to a flying start in Paris. Although the Dutch might travel to Paris on Friday night tipped as a real underdog, there is no doubt that Koeman’s men will be excited by their most recent showdown against Les Bleus. It should be noted, when Holland welcomed France to Rotterdam for a Nations League battle in November 2018, the European icons claimed a deserved 2-0 victory.

Team News

Impressing since arriving at Newcastle last summer, defender Sven Botman will be hoping to play some part on Friday night. Likewise, the Manchester United duo of Wout Weghorst and Tyrell Malacia could feature in Paris.

Despite dealing with a long-term injury issue this season, Roma’s Georginio Wijnaldum has been included in Koeman’s squad this month. The ex-Liverpool man could partner Frenkie de Jong at the heart of Holland’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Friday’s opponents last met back in November 2018 for a Nations League showdown, the Netherlands claimed a 2-0 victory in Rotterdam.
• However, Les Bleus have won each of the other five meetings against Holland – a run that stems back to June 2008.
• France are unbeaten in each of their previous nine consecutive European qualifiers on home soil.
• Holland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Argentina was the only loss that they have suffered from their last 20 appearances across all formats.
• Continuing on from their winter World Cup adventure, France have recorded just a trio of clean sheets from their last 13 matchups across all competitions.

Conclusion

Two sides who suffered their own respective World Cup heartbreak over the winter, both France and the Netherlands will be desperate to lay down an early Group B marker here. However, although Les Bleus might be tipped as a standout pick on Friday night, there is no doubt that Holland will be boosted by their most recent meeting against the now-former world champions. Claiming a 2-0 victory when they welcomed France to Rotterdam for a Nations League showdown back in 2018, neutrals will be hoping for another enjoyable affair this weekend. It should be highlighted, with the two European heavyweights seeing six of their last seven meetings finish with over 1.5 goals, we are backing a similar outcome on Friday night.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet