France v Australia predictions: Les Bleus can see off shot-shy Socceroos

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for France v Australia in World Cup Group D on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 7pm Tuesday

Best bet

France to win & under 3.5 goals
2pts 19-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

France’s squad has been decimated by injuries in the build-up to the World Cup and although that may mean the reigning world champions are below their free-flowing best, one goal may be enough to see off the challenge of a toothless Australian attack.

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Match preview

Injuries to star players have hampered the preparation of France’s World Cup defence, but Les Bleus should still have enough quality in reserve to see off opening opponents Australia in Group D.

The reigning world champions kicked off a successful campaign in Russia four years ago by beating Australia 2-1 in their curtain-raiser and anything bar a repeat result against the Socceroos would be deemed a huge disappointment.

But Didier Deschamps has had to tinker with his plans for Qatar as Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and their World Cup-winning midfield partnership of 2018, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, have all been ruled out.

One of Benzema’s possible replacements in Leipzig livewire Christopher Nkunku has also been forced to withdraw from the tournament through injury, which could be detrimental to their trophy prospects in the long term.

However, it’s unlikely to stop them from seeing off the Socceroos, who don’t appear to have the firepower needed to live with a French onslaught.

Australia look heavily reliant on Ajdin Hrustic for their creative spark but the Verona man has been sidelined for his club since mid-October and could lack match sharpness.

Otherwise, the bulk of Australia’s squad play their domestic football in either the English Championship, Scottish Premiership or the A-League, whereas France’s personnel are virtually all Champions League representatives.

That highlights the potential gulf in class between the sides and Australia will be well aware that their best chance of competing is to stay tight and poach their chances on the counter-attack.

Australia received a blow of their own with Hibernian winger Martin Boyle also forced out of the competition, and that has further nullified their limited attacking options.

Graham Arnold’s team qualified for the World Cup despite failing to score in three of their final four qualifiers, which concluded with a penalty shootout success over Peru in their intercontinental playoff final following a goalless draw.

With goals hard to come by for the underdogs, there could be a low-key start to proceedings and France may have to work hard to unlock what is a defensively-orientated team.

France’s talent should ultimately tell as their attacking talents still include Paris St-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and wily veteran Olivier Giroud, who is likely to get the nod as starting striker with Benzema missing.

But Les Bleus scored more than twice in only one of their eight World Cup qualifiers and they netted just five goals in this year’s six Nations League contests. It may, therefore, pay to side with them to a record a low-scoring win.

Key stat

None of France's last five matches has produced more than two goals.

Team news

France
Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku have all been ruled out of the World Cup squad through injury. Raphael Varane is expected to be fit but Eduardo Camavinga must be assessed.

Australia
Winger Martin Boyle was forced to withdraw from the tournament through injury, with Marco Tilio his replacement. Centre-back Kye Rowles has recovered from injury.

Probable teams

France 3-4-1-2: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Saliba; Pavard, Tchouameni, Rabiot, T Hernandez; Griezmann; Mbappe, Giroud.

Australia 4-1-4-1: Ryan; Atkinson, Wright, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Hrustic, Irvine, Goodwin; Maclaren.

Inside info

France

Top scorer in probable team Olivier Giroud
Penalty taker Antoine Griezmann
Set-piece aerial threat Olivier Giroud
Assist ace Antoine Griezmann
Star player Kylian Mbappe
Card magnet William Saliba

Australia

Top scorer in probable team Jamie Maclaren
Penalty taker Jamie Maclaren
Set-piece aerial threat Kye Rowles
Assist ace Ajdin Hrustic
Star player Ajdin Hrustic
Card magnet Jackson Irvine

France v Australia Bet Builder

France to win
France have won nine of their last 12 games at World Cup finals and should bolster that tally here.

Olivier Giroud to score at any time
With 49 goals in 114 caps, Olivier Giroud is only two behind Theirry Henry in France’s list of all-time leading scorers and he has netted nine goals in 19 starts for Milan this season.

Jackson Irvine to be shown a card
The St Pauli midfielder has collected eight bookings in just 19 appearances for club and country this season.

Price guide 6-1 bet365