France vs Ireland prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-09-06 18:45.
After a demoralising penalty shootout defeat against Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup, France have bounced back to make a perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualification campaign (ECQ). The Group B leaders emerged victorious in their opening four ECQ outings with a combined score of 9-0, indicating a strong chance of securing their ninth consecutive appearance at a European Championship.
Didier Deschamps would have been boosted this summer by seeing Les Bleus’ offensive trio of Mbappé, Dembélé, Kolo Muani now all playing for PSG, where they should develop "more affinities or technical relationships," according to the French coach. Moreover, it will be at PSG's stadium, the Parc des Princes, where France will welcome Ireland looking to extend their current 11-game unbeaten run on French soil in ECQs (W8, D3).
Two of those three draws occurred against nations ranked lower than Ireland by FIFA (#53), which should give coach Stephen Kenny’s men a glimmer of hope. A point earned here would be crucial, especially since the Boys in Green have won only one of their first three ECQ matches (W1, L2), with that victory coming against the lowest-ranked nation in the group, Gibraltar (#198).
Kenny labelled France the “best team in the world for the past eight years” before the 1-0 loss in the reverse H2H in July, and it’s now against them that he’ll be trying to end a poor recent competitive away streak of no win in four (D1, L3). However, Ireland have often managed to put up a good fight on hostile turf, evidenced by the fact their last seven competitive away losses came via just a one-goal margin, including a 2-1 loss to Portugal (#9).
Key battle: Since Hugo Lloris retired from international football after Qatar 2022, goalkeeper Mike Maignan has not conceded a single goal in three starts for France. He will have to keep a close eye on Irish striker Adam Idah late on, as he has scored his last three goals for both club and country after the 80th minute, including two in injury time.
Hot stat: France have found the net in the opening 30 minutes in seven of their previous eight home ECQ wins.