Prediction: France vs Azerbaijan

Prediction: Over 6.5 goals

Best Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Zetbet

France and Azerbaijan will lock horns with each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match this week. The UEFA Group D game between Didier Deschamps’s side and Aykhan Abbasov’s team will be held at Parc des Princes in Paris and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Friday.

France

France are one of the biggest and most historic footballing nations. They are used to winning major honours and are always expected to qualify for major international competitions with ease.

Les Bleus have won both their World Cup qualifying games and are at the top of UEFA Group D with six points from two matches, three points clear of second-placed Iceland.

France beat Iceland 2-1 at home in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying in September, which came after a 2-0 victory over Ukraine.

Team News:

France are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Azerbaijan this week. Mike Maignan will be in goal and will have Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez in front of him in defence. Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone will be the two holding midfielders. Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Marcus Thuram will be three attacking midfielders. Kylian Mbappe is likely to kead the line for France.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan do not have a rich history in football and do not tend to qualify for major competitions. They do not have world-class players and are simply there to make up the numbers in qualifying groups. It is harsh but true.

Aykhan Abbasov’s side are at the foot of UEFA Group D at the moment with a point from two matches. Azerbaijan are five points behind leaders France and two points behind second-placed Iceland in the group.

Azerbaijan will head into the World Cup qualifier against France this week on the back of a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in September, which followed a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Iceland away from home.

Team News:

Azerbaijan are likely to line up in a 5-4-1 formation against France. Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev will be in goal for the visiting team. Qismat Aliyev, Elvin Badalov, Bahlul Mustafazada, Anton Krivotsyuk and Elvin Cafarquliyev will be the five defenders. Mahir Emreli, Emin Makhmudov, Abdulakh Khaybulaev and Rustam Akhmedzade will be in midfield. Renat Dadachov will lead the line for Azerbaijan.

Key Factors to Consider

• France have won 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• France have won their last 3 matches in all competitions.
• France have scored 12 goals in 2 matches against Azerbaijan.
• Azerbaijan have lost 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
• Azerbaijan have drawn 2 of their last 5 games in all competitions.

Conclusion

France have one of the strongest teams in Europe and are very likely to pick up all three points against Azerbaijan with ease in this particular 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Prediction: Over 6.5 goals

Best Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: Zetbet