France-Ireland is a match on the fifth day of Group B of Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Thursday at 8:45 pm: TV, likely lineups, predictions.
With a margin of a full nine points over third in the standings – the top two in each group qualify for the German European Championship – Didier Deschamps’ France is already with one and a half feet in Germany.
The vice world champions made things clear from the first day against the Netherlands – the most fearsome opponent in Group B, swept 4-0 in Paris – and can now sleep soundly. Or rather, the risk of being left out of the next continental review is really minimal and in the home match with Ireland the transalpinians can even mortgage qualification, before observing a rest round (it is a five-team group). France has so far left no chance for anyone: four wins out of four, nine goals scored and not a single one conceded. An unblemished path, yet another demonstration of strength by a selection that can count on an abnormal amount of talent, in addition to its star player Kylian Mbappé. Ireland, on the other hand, has played three games, managing to get the better of only modest Gibraltar (3-0).
France can already mortgage qualification
Hurt defeat suffered against Greece (2-1), a direct competitor in a fight for second place that, in light of the Dutch’s difficulties, promises to be fierce.
Kenny, Irish selector
The selection coached by Stephen Kenny has already faced France: last March, they managed to give the Bleus a lot of trouble, who were privateers in Dublin (0-1) thanks to a goal by defender Pavard, a new signing from Inter Milan. In Paris, the Irish coach will have to cope with major absences: in addition to Coleman, Obafemi and Doherty, De Zerbi’s Brighton young talent, Ferguson, who was the star performer on the last day of the Premier League, will also be missing. Deschamps will rely on milanists Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Giroud, but Todibo and Lucas Hernandez, called up in place of Konaté and Fofana, are also back.
The Prediction
Outside home Ireland is wont to lose that “magic” that distinguishes it during home matches and the risk of having a bad night at the Parc des Princes is quite real. France is favored and Maignan should be able to record yet another clean sheet in a row in these Euro 2024 qualifiers.
France-Ireland likely lineups
- FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud.
- IRLAND (3-5-2): Bazunu; O’Shea, Egan, Collins; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Browne, Manning; Ogbene, Idah.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
