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 season’s World Cup in North America.
His final alternative so as to add to the 2018 World Cup title led to disappointment on the current Nations League, the place his facet misplaced an exhilarating 5-4 semi-final to Spain regardless of an unimaginable late comeback.
They did, nevertheless, reply by beating Germany 2-0 to assert third place.
Whereas criticism has adopted Deschamps, France’s current file stays sturdy. Because the 2022 World Cup ultimate, solely Germany, Spain, Italy, and Croatia have crushed them, and qualification for 2026 appears to be like inevitable.
Beginning in opposition to 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 high the group. France haven’t missed a World Cup since 1994 and boast two titles and two additional ultimate 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 in opposition to them: Ukraine have solely crushed 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 just lately, France demolished them 7-1 in a 2020 pleasant, though each 2022 qualifiers ended 1-1.
Group 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 way of damage, that means Anatoliy Trubin will begin between the posts. Oleksandr Tymchyk is one other absentee, whereas Benfica’s Georgiy Sudakov is predicted to play a key function in midfield. Ahead Artem Dovbyk, who has fallen out of favour at Roma, will hope to make an impression.
For France, Arsenal’s William Saliba is sidelined with a muscle damage sustained in opposition to 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
The way to watch Ukraine v France: TV channel, on-line stream
Ukraine v France will kick-off at 7:45pm on Friday and is accessible to look at 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, successful 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 in opposition to Ukraine, successful 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
It is a difficult opener for France, however even a attract Wroclaw would depart them nicely positioned to progress, given upcoming video games in opposition to Iceland and Azerbaijan look extra easy.
Ukraine have confirmed they will frustrate France, drawing twice throughout the 2022 qualifying marketing campaign, and residential benefit in Poland might assist them once more.
Prediction: Ukraine 1-2 France
