Verdict: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Knowing that they can officially punch their World Cup ticket and wrap up top spot in Group D, France will welcome Ukraine to Paris on Thursday night.
France
Starting with the hosts, while France might have been left frustrated last time out as they eventually had to settle for a pulsating 2-2 stalemate away at Iceland, Didier Deschamps’ camp are cruising their way to next summer’s World Cup. Getting their penultimate qualifying showdown underway holding a three-point buffer at the top of the Group D standings, Les Bleus will be hoping to make a statement here. Getting their World Cup qualifying adventure underway with a 2-0 victory against Ukraine on September 5th, the European giants are pencilled in as a landslide contender here. Although France might still be searching for some crucial defensive stability, they certainly hold a fearsome reputation for their clinical performances in the final third. It should also be highlighted, Deschamps’ side have suffered just a single competitive defeat on home soil since way back in June 2022.
France Team News
While former Chelsea star N’Golo Kante might have been omitted from Deschamps’ squad earlier in the year, the 34-year-old has been recalled this month. Likewise, the duo of Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki and Tottenham loanee Randal Kolo Muani have also returned to France’s squad.
Embarking on what has been a sensational start to the 2025/26 campaign and already notching 18 goals for Spanish icons Real Madrid, skipper Kylian Mbappe will lead the line here. Putting pen to paper on a bumper new deal with Arsenal back in September, William Saliba will start at the heart of Deschamps’ defence.
Ukraine
As for the visitors, while Ukraine might have opened their respective World Cup qualifying campaign with that 2-0 loss against France on September 5th, Serhiy Rebrov’s men have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen in Group D action landing an essential 2-1 victory against Azerbaijan, the Yellows have registered seven points from their previous three appearances. Sat in the driving seat to snatch a silver medal finish behind Les Bleus this month, Ukraine should be excited by a trip to Paris in midweek. Losing just a pair of their previous 10 competitive appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s guests will be hoping to ask some serious questions on foreign soil. However, it should be highlighted that Rebrov’s side have failed to muster a clean sheet from any of their last 11 straight outings.
Ukraine Team News
Despite not making an international appearance since back in 2023, Dynamo Kyiv’s Oleksandr Karavaev has been handed a shock recall. Completing a big-money move from Premier League outfit Bournemouth over the summer, PSG defender Ilya Zabarny will earn a 54th cap at the Parc des Princes.
Dealing with a recent muscle issue and and struggling to find his feet since arriving from Arsenal on a season-long loan switch, Oleksandr Zinchenko has not joined up with Rebrov’s squad. Despite notching just a single strike for Roma since the end of September, Artem Dovbyk will lead the line in Paris.
France vs Ukraine Key Factors to Consider
- When France and Ukraine met for their reverse Group D showdown on September 5th, Les Bleus claimed a 2-0 victory in Poland.
- Thursday’s hosts have registered 10 points from their first four World Cup qualifying appearances this year.
- Ukraine have failed to record a single clean sheet in their previous 11 appearances across all competitions.
- Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has already registered 18 goals for the Spanish giants so far this season.
- France have suffered just a single competitive defeat on home soil since back in June 2022.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can officially punch their World Cup ticket on Thursday night, France will be looking to make a statement here. Getting their qualifying adventure underway with a 2-0 victory against Ukraine on September 5th, the European giants are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender in midweek. With Thursday’s guests failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their last 11 straight outings across all competitions, France’s superstar attack will be looking to run rampant in Paris.
Verdict: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
