Tunisia vs France, FIFA World Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction

Tunisia vs France Match Prediction & Analysis

France have the luxury of knowing they already have a place in the Round of 16 before they even kick a ball in the final group game, having done the hard work in their opening two games.

It has been hard work, at times, for the current World Champions. They haven’t always looked free-flowing and all-powerful, although some brilliant performances and the genius of Kylian Mbappe has certainly helped.

Now, they face a Tunisia side that needs to win to stand any chance of qualification themselves. France won’t want to lose this game, but may make one or two changes to give some fresh faces a chance.

Tunisia are in dire straits, for sure. Despite claiming a credible draw in their opening game against Denmark, they will be bitterly disappointed at losing to Australia in their second. 

Here, they must beat France and hope that Australia don’t beat Denmark. They also need to beat France by enough goals to secure a better goal difference than Denmark or Australia. 

It’s simple for France, complicated to say the least for Tunisia.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Tunisia Preview

FIFA Ranking: 30

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful:

     France may make one or two changes from their strongest team

     Have looked solid for most of their opening two games

Reasons to be fearful:

     Their fate is not entirely in their hands

     Have won just two of their 17 World Cup matches over the years

The North African country has worked hard and given everything it has over their opening two games – unfortunately it just hasn’t been enough so far.

They now face arguably the toughest challenge in world football right now – to beat the current champions and hope that the result in the other game goes in their favour.

Even if France rotate one or two players, it’s still a remarkably tall order for the Tunisians to achieve. Remember that they haven’t yet scored a goal at this year’s World Cup.

Jebali has led the line in the opening two games, backed up by Youssef Msakni and either Ben Slimane or Naïm Sliti. Will the manager be tempted to change things up here?

Star Man – Youssef Msakni

Has 17 goals in 85 appearances for Tunisia but if he scores the winner against France, it’ll be his most important goal for his country. 

France Preview

FIFA Ranking: 4

Predicted Finish: Quarter Finals

Reasons to be cheerful

     Can afford to rest one or two players

     Only a point is required to finish top of Group D

Reasons to be fearful

     Tunisia’s need to win will be desperate

     Don’t want to change the team too much and stop momentum

France have been lauded as having arguably the strongest squad at this tournament and we may just see that first-hand here.

Winning their opening two games has afforded them the luxury of potentially changing one or two players and bringing in fresh faces. 

The recovering Raphael Varane, for example, could have his minutes managed. Kingsley Coman could come in from the start, as could Thuram and Camavinga.

Didier Deschamps won’t want to make too many changes, however. He won’t want to disrupt the momentum his team have been building so far at this tournament.

However many changes they make, they will be favourites to win this one due to the quality spread throughout their squad.

Star Man – Kylian Mbappe

The superstar has seven World Cup goals, three at this tournament, before the age of 24. If France go deep into this tournament, who knows how many he’ll have?