France’s adventure in this edition of the Nations League did not get off to the best of starts. For Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus – eliminated in the semifinals of the European Championship in Germany by the future champions Spain – it was a shock start at the Stade de France against Italy on the first day: the Azzurri’s 3-1 victory in Saint-Denis did not bode well, with the coach still the focus of criticism.
However, that was the only defeat for the world runners-up in group 2 of League A: despite the coach having experimented a little – using several young players, leaving Mbappé out of the last two squads – France won 4 of the remaining 5 matches (the only draw was against Israel) winning the direct match against Italy and overtook them in the standings on the very last day, returning the favor to Luciano Spalletti’s team, who were beaten 3-1 at San Siro last November thanks to a brace from Rabiot and an own goal from Vicario. After finishing top of their group, the French will face Croatia in the quarter finals, who finished second in Group 1 behind the unbeatable Portuguese. The team led by Zlatko Dalic – and led by a once again decisive Modric – won only two out of six matches, but managed to beat Scotland in a photo finish thanks to the Croatian midfielder. The draw with the Portuguese (already sure of first place) in the last round was fundamental.
Dalic relies on the “old guard”
Whoever emerges victorious from this double-header will face either the Netherlands or Spain in the June semi-final, as these two teams prepare to do battle in the other quarter.
Dalic is obviously counting on the so-called “old guard”. France will obviously have captain Modric, who is just a few appearances away from reaching 200 with his national team, but also the various Perisic, Pasalic, Kramaric and Kovacic. In France, on the other hand, Mbappé will be back, having been on fire in his last few matches with Real Madrid, but Deschamps has decided to put his faith in the PSG squad, who are doing very well both at home and in Europe. In addition to Barcola, Dembélé and Zaïre-Emery, Doué is also among the players called up, while Inter Milan’s Thuram left the training camp after the first day due to an injury sustained during the match against Atalanta.
Odds comparison
France’s victory is quoted at 2.05 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Goal” sign is quoted at 1.72 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.70 on Snai.
More information on bonuses
If you are a new user, to compare the odds in an exhaustive manner, it may be useful to also analyze any bonus applied by the same operators to new registrations.
- GOLDBET – Up to €3050 sports and casino with 200% on first deposit sports up to €1000 MORE INFO
- SNAI – 15 euros free + 50% on first deposit up to 30 euros MORE INFO
- LOTTOMATICA – Up to 3050€ sports and casino with 200% on first deposit sports up to 1000€ MORE INFO
The prediction
After the famous 2018 World Cup final, won 4-2 by France in Moscow, these two teams have only played each other in the Nations League, again in the group stage. The balance is two French victories, one draw and one Croatian success. Croatia never lost in the group stage in front of their own fans and thanks to their experience they could give France a hard time, at least in the first leg, as France as usual can count on a squad full of champions. However, given the sparkling form of the various Mbappés and Dembélés, we don’t feel up to going against Les Bleus – always victorious away from home so far – who will almost certainly come out unscathed from the first round in Split. Both should be able to score at least one goal.
The probable line-ups for Croatia-France
CROATIA (3-4-3): Livakovic; Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Sosa; Kramaric, Budimir, Baturina.
FRANCE (4-3-3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2