Arsenal
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Match preview for Ukraine v France
Ukraine face France in Wroclaw on Friday evening as each nations start their World Cup qualification campaigns.
France’s participation within the Nations League finals meant they have been positioned into one of many condensed four-team qualifying teams, with fixtures to be accomplished throughout simply three months.
This marketing campaign represents the ultimate chapter for Didier Deschamps as France boss, with the 55-year-old set to step down after subsequent summer time’s World Cup in North America.
His final alternative so as to add to the 2018 World Cup title resulted in disappointment on the latest Nations League, the place his facet misplaced an exciting 5-4 semi-final to Spain regardless of an unbelievable late comeback.
They did, nonetheless, reply by beating Germany 2-0 to assert third place.
Whereas criticism has adopted Deschamps, France’s latest document stays robust. For the reason that 2022 World Cup remaining, solely Germany, Spain, Italy, and Croatia have overwhelmed them, and qualification for 2026 seems inevitable.
Beginning towards second-seeds Ukraine makes for a testing opening, even when the match is being staged on impartial floor in Poland.
A win right here would make Les Bleus heavy favourites to prime the group. France haven’t missed a World Cup since 1994 and boast two titles and two additional remaining appearances since then.
Ukraine, in the meantime, have loved European Championship consistency however stay haunted by struggles in World Cup qualifying. They’ve solely ever appeared as soon as on soccer’s greatest stage – reaching the quarter-finals in 2006 – and have suffered defeat in three of their final 4 play-off makes an attempt.
Historical past is towards them: Ukraine have solely overwhelmed France as soon as in 12 conferences, within the first leg of a playoff for the 2014 World Cup, earlier than Les Bleus overturned the deficit within the return leg. Extra not too long ago, France demolished them 7-1 in a 2020 pleasant, though each 2022 qualifiers ended 1-1.
Workforce information for Ukraine v France
Defenders Illia Zabarnyi and Vitaliy Mykolenko are each closing in on milestone caps for Ukraine, with Zabarnyi set to succeed in 50 appearances and Mykolenko attaining the identical if he options in each fixtures this week.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is unavailable by means of harm, which means Anatoliy Trubin will begin between the posts. Oleksandr Tymchyk is one other absentee, whereas Benfica’s Georgiy Sudakov is anticipated to play a key function in midfield. Ahead Artem Dovbyk, who has fallen out of favour at Roma, will hope to make an affect.
For France, Arsenal’s William Saliba is sidelined with a muscle harm sustained towards Liverpool, and Rayan Cherki has additionally withdrawn. Hugo Ekitike has been known as up in Cherki’s place and will earn a primary cap, alongside Maghnes Akliouche.
Adrien Rabiot stays a part of the squad regardless of controversy surrounding his Marseille exit, whereas Warren Zaire-Emery, Randal Kolo Muani, and Matteo Guendouzi haven’t been chosen.
Anticipated line-ups for Ukraine v France
Ukraine: Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Mykolenko; Kaliuzhny, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Shaparenko, Sudakov; Dovbyk
France: Maignan; Kounde, UpameCano, Konate, Hernandez; Tchouameni, rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Thuram; Mbappe
Learn how to watch Ukraine v France: TV channel, on-line stream
Ukraine v France will kick-off at 7:45pm on Friday and is offered to observe on Amazon Prime within the UK.
The stats for Ukraine v France
France have certified for each World Cup since 1998
Les Bleus have reached 4 finals in that point, profitable two
Ukraine’s solely World Cup look got here in 2006, after they made the quarter-finals
France are unbeaten of their final 5 video games towards Ukraine, profitable twice and drawing three
Ukraine have misplaced three of their final 4 play-off ties throughout main tournaments
Didier Deschamps will step down as France supervisor after the 2026 World Cup
Prediction
This can be a difficult opener for France, however even a attract Wroclaw would depart them effectively positioned to progress, given upcoming video games towards Iceland and Azerbaijan look extra easy.
Ukraine have confirmed they will frustrate France, drawing twice through the 2022 qualifying marketing campaign, and residential benefit in Poland may assist them once more.
Prediction: Ukraine 1-2 France
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