France vs Poland, UEFA Euro 2024, Today Match Prediction

France vs Poland Match Prediction & Analysis

Two-time Euro Cup winners are set to face already-eliminated Poland at the home ground of Borussia Dortmund in the final rounds of the group stage matches. Les Bleus’ came in as favourites, but they have failed to live up to the hype as they haven't performed worthy of the favourites tag. 

Nevertheless, they are currently sitting pretty safe behind the Netherlands in the points table, needing just a draw on Tuesday to qualify for the next round. Interestingly, France hasn't won the final match of a major tournament since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. 

Poland, on the other hand, having already been eliminated, will need to find a means to spur themselves on before they set out to play their last match of the tournament. Following victories over Turkey and Ukraine in the run-up to the Euros, they would have anticipated a better performance. 

If anything, they would have expected to secure points against Austria, not going down 3-1 in a disappointing fashion. Irrespective of the result on Tuesday, Poland will finish their campaign at the bottom of the table as the head-to-head record supersedes the overall goal difference. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

France Preview

France might not have lost a game, but they could have if not for that disallowed goal from Xavi Simmons in the game against the Netherlands. They secured a win in their opening game on the back of an own goal versus Austria. Against the Netherlands, Les Bleus certainly missed their star man and captain, Kylian Mbappe, in the attack, as he missed out due to the horrific injury suffered in the Austrian game. This meant Deschamps had to adopt a 4-4-1-1 formation instead of the traditional 4-2-3-1.

Despite their lack of sting in the attacking third, the defence was top-notch in both games, led by Theo Hernandez and N'Golo Kante. The clean sheet against the Netherlands was their fourth straight one in the last four Internationals. The last player to score against them was Chile's Dario Osorio. Given Poland's ineptness in creating chances, France has a good chance to extend that record.

The news from the French camp is that the captain is likely to make a return to the 11 against Austria. Thus, it will pose a dilemma for Deschamps: whether to bench the most favored Rabiot or Tchouameni. Other than that, no change is expected from the French starting XI. 

France Probable Starting XI: Maignan (Goalkeeper); Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez (Defenders); Kante, Rabiot, Griezmann (Midfielders); Thuram, Dembele, Mbappe (Forwards) 

FRA Over/Under Betting Tips

Poland Preview

Michal Probeirz took charge of Poland only in September 2023. Since then, the team has had an unbeaten run with 6 wins and 4 draws. Unfortunately, it all ended in the Euro, triggering yet another early exit for Poland. This is their fourth group-stage exit in the last five tournaments. That said, they were without the services of their star striker and Blaugrana superstar, Lewandowski, in their opening game against the Dutch. 

He was subbed on in the 60th minute against Austria and made minimal impact. Lewandowski is the one that makes the side click; he is the target man, who can score with either his foot or his head. Lewandowski will likely play the game on Tuesday.

Poland's style of play is to get crosses into the box, which complements Lewandowski in the final third and his aerial finishing. The man who creates most of those chances is Nicolai Zalewski. His presence on the left wing would create a lot of problems for the French defence. 

Zalewski has created more chances (4), shot more shots (7), and completed the most passes (68) in this Euro 2024 for Poland. Poland's chance of upsetting France depends on Zalewski and Lewandowski. Apart from the fitness issues surrounding their centre-back Bartosz Salamon, a straight swap for Lewandowski with another forward will likely be the only change made to the starting lineup. 

Poland Probable Starting XI: Szczesny (Goalkeeper); Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior (Defenders); Frankowski, Zielinski, Slisz, Moder, Zalewski (Midfielders); Swiderski, Lewandowski (Forwards)

Over/Under Goals Total Tips