UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying: Group B – France vs Republic of Ireland

France host Republic of Ireland at Parc des Prince, Paris, in Qualifying Group B for UEFA Euro 2024.

Victory would see France stay top and possibly extend their lead to nine points if Greece lose to the Netherlands in Eindhoven, whilst Ireland can possibly go second with a win if the Dutch beat Greece in Eindhoven.

 

Team News

Defender, Ibrahima Konate is France’s only absentee after he withdrew from the squad with a hamstring injury.

Ireland will be without forward, Evan Ferguson after he withdrew from the squad with a knee injury.

Will Keane consequently could start in place of Ferguson following his strong start to the season, with four goals in six appearances for Preston.

 

When is Kick-Off?

France host Republic of Ireland at Parc des Princes, Paris in a 8:45pm CET (7:45pm UK Time) kick-off on Thursday 7 September, live on Viaplay in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• France won their only previous UEFA Euro qualifier against Republic of Ireland (W1), having prevailed 1-0 in Dublin in March 2023.
• Ireland are playing away to France in an Euro qualifier for the first time but are winless in their last eight visits in all competitions (D3, L5).
• Both teams have scored in two of their last three meetings on French soil with France winning twice, whilst they drew 1-1 in November 2009.
• No player has scored more goals in Qualifying Group B coming into this matchweek than France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has netted four goals in three of his four appearances.
• In their last two Qualifiers, Ireland converted 16 of 39 shots onto target but only four of those shots were scored.

 

Prediction

Sat top of Qualifying Group B with a six-point advantage over Greece following a scrappy win in their last outing, France can come into this game full of confidence that they can take a huge step towards securing their Euro 2024 spot if can keep their winning run up.

Ireland meanwhile have been dealt a blow attack wise with Ferguson’s absence but I do believe that they have a solid in-form replacement in Keane, and the team as a whole should feel confident coming into this game after hammering Gibraltar in June.

Fate however is against them given their poor away form against France but if they can build upon the positives of their last outing, I do hope that they can give the French a game but defeat does seem the likely bet unless they pull off a cracking performance.

Prediction: France 2-0 ROI

Result: France 2-0 ROI