France will be looking to preserve their perfect start in Group B of Euro 2024 qualifying when they welcome Republic of Ireland to Parc des Princes on Thursday evening.

The Boys in Green will be seeking revenge against Les Blues after suffering a slender 1-0 defeat in Dublin in the reverse fixture in March, courtesy of a stunning strike from Benjamin Pavard.

Match preview

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Nearly seven months have passed since France suffered a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat on penalties to Argentina in Qatar, and Didier Deschamps's side have responded well by putting together a four-game winning streak in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Les Bleus are one of only four European nations who still boast a 100% record in Euro 2024 qualifying having picked up maximum points against Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and Greece, scoring nine goals and keeping four clean sheets in the process.

France edged past Greece by a 1-0 scoreline in their most recent match in June, with captain Kylian Mbappe scoring a retaken penalty in the second half to become the highest-scoring Frenchman for club and country in a single season.

Deschamps's men are on course to qualify for their ninth successive European Championships and can move one step closer to securing top spot in Group B with victory on Thursday against an Ireland side whom they have not lost against in their last seven meetings in all competitions.

Since losing 1-0 at home to Croatia in the UEFA Nations League in June 2022, France have won their last three home matches without conceding, while they have not lost any of their last 11 home encounters against Ireland.

Les Bleus' last match at Parc des Princes was certainly one to remember as they thrashed Kazakhstan 8-0 in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021 in which Mbappe scored four goals.

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After failing to qualify for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Republic of Ireland made a slow start to Euro 2024 qualifying as they suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two fixtures against France and Greece.

However, Stephen Kenny's side got their first three points on the board when they beat European minnows Gibraltar 3-0 at the Aviva Stadium in June courtesy of goals from Mikey Johnston, Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah.

With five qualifiers still to play, the Boys in Green remain in contention to secure a top-two spot in Group B, but they will be aware that the Netherlands – who face Kenny's side in Dublin on Sunday – have at least one game in hand on every other nation in the group.

Kenny is seeking consistency from his side as they have endured a patchy run of form over the last 18 months, winning six, drawing two and losing six of their last 14 internationals in all competitions.

Ireland's away form also leaves a little to be desired as their only win in their last five on the road was against Matla (1-0) in November last year. Nevertheless, the Boys in Green have shown some fighting spirit on their travels as their last seven competitive away defeats have only been by a one-goal margin.

Team News

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France have called up Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate was forced to withdraw from the 23-man squad due to a hamstring injury. Chelsea's Wesley Fofana is also sidelined with a long-term knee problem, but Lucas Hernandez has been recalled for the first time since picking up an ACL injury at the 2022 World Cup.

N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba are two notable midfield absentees, but Adrien Rabiot has returned to the senior setup after missing the last international break through injury, and the Juventus midfielder is set to battle with Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga for a place in Deschamps's first XI.

Paris Saint-Germain trio Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani will all be seeking to impress on familiar territory should they walk out at Parc des Princes, while 36-year-old Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann – who have both earned over 100 caps for Les Bleus – are also in contention to start in attack.

As for Republic of Ireland, rising star Ferguson has been ruled out of the next two qualifiers due to a knee injury, and will join Seamus Coleman (knee) and Michael Obafemi (hamstring) in the treatment room, while Matt Doherty is also ruled out after having his one-match suspension increased.

The absence of Doherty could see Udinese's Festy Ebosele handed his first international cap at right wing-back, while Chiedozie Ogbene is the most likely candidate to partner Idah in attack now that Ferguson is sidelined.

John Egan has emerged as a minor injury doubt, so Kenny has decided to call up Nottingham Forest's new recruit Andrew Omobamidele, who will compete with Shane Duffy, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea and Darragh Lenihan for a place at centre-back.

France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; O'Shea, Egan, Collins; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Browne, Manning; Ogbene, Idah

We say: France 3-0 Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland frustrated France in spells during their last meeting six months ago and they will require another dogged display if they wish to claim a famous result in Paris.

However, Les Bleus are unsurprisingly regarded as favourites for this contest and the abundance of attacking quality at Deschamps's disposal should help fire his side to another victory in qualifying.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Oliver Thomas

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