Netherlands vs France Prediction: Can France win without Mbappe?
We’ve got a spectacular heavyweight clash to look forward to in Group D at Euro 2024 as France face the Netherlands on Friday night. Both teams got three points on the board in their opening matches, as Didier Deschamps’ side edged past Austria, while Ronald Koeman guided the Dutch to a 2-1 comeback win over Albania.
Now the two European giants meet in a game that is likely to decide who finishes top of the group. Below you can find my Netherlands vs France prediction, featuring team news and betting odds.
Team News
Koeman looks to have a relatively settled XI heading into this one, but given the impact the substitutes made for him, he could be tempted into changes. Wout Weghorst scored the winner off the bench but is likely to remain a super sub for this tournament, while Georginio Wijnaldum and Jeremie Frimpong offered something different from the bench. Likely to be unchanged however.
France meanwhile, will have to make one change. Kylian Mbappe is out of this one with a broken nose, and will not play again in the group stage. It means Olivier Giroud is likely to come in and lead the line for the 2018 world champions, and Deschamps will be without his star man until the last 16.
Netherlands predicted line-up: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Reijnders, Schouten, Veerman; Simons, Depay, Gakpo
France predicted line-up: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández; Griezmann, Kanté, Rabiot; Dembélé, Giroud, Thuram
Netherlands are priced at 11/5 to win this game, while France are the favourites at 47/37, giving them an implied win probability of 44%. A draw can be backed at 12/5, BTTS is 79/100 and over 2.5 goals is 49/50.
BTTS Yes @ 39/50
Let’s start with goals. Although Mbappe is missing for France, I think we will see some of the fringe players take centre stage. Giroud has been a brilliant servant for his country over the past decade and will offer something different, while the like of Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram will have to step up from wide positions.
Given both teams scored in the Netherlands’ first game, and they conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece, I think both teams can find the net here. They’ve got impressive attacking firepower and even without the sensation that is Mbappe, I think France will have enough to find the net. Meanwhile, Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo linked up well, while there is always Weghorst to rely upon off the bench.
Draw @ 12/5
I think this game will be a really close one, and I can’t split these two right now. Although I would always usually back France in a game like this, they didn’t look at their fluid best against a tricky Austrian side, and now without their star man, they are going to be less devastating up front.
Although I think they can find a goal, I don’t think a win is on the cards against this tricky Dutch outfit, who boast one of the best defences in terms of individual players, at this entire tournament. As a result I think the most sensible pick is a draw, given both teams would also probably be quite happy with a point each. It would be enough to see both of them into the last 16 with a game to spare.
Check out our other Soccer Betting Predictions here.
