France vs Australia Predictions

• Four of France’s last five wins have been accompanied by a clean sheet.
• Australia have lost five of their last six World Cup games.
• Kylian Mbappe has scored 19 goals in 20 appearances for PSG this season.

Familiar foes meet in Al Wakrah

France began their successful World Cup campaign with victory over Australia four years ago and they should have no problems getting another three points off the Socceroos on Tuesday, despite a host of injury problems.

Les Bleus certainly haven’t had the ideal build-up to the defence of their title, winning just one of their last five games and losing twice to Group D rivals Denmark. To add to their woes, a number of high-profile players are either ruled out or doubtful, with Christopher Nkunku recently joining Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante on the sidelines, while Raphael Varane is unlikely to be fit for their opener.

Despite this, Didier Deschamps still possesses one of the most talented squads in world football and Kylian Mbappe is at the forefront of their wealth of options. The 23-year-old was the star of the show in Russia four years ago and has scored 12 goals for France since the start of 2021. He has 19 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for PSG this season and, after scoring two of France’s last three goals, I’m backing him to get on the scoresheet in Al Wakrah.

Socceroos expecting tough time in Qatar

For Australia, this is expected to be the start of a difficult couple of weeks in Qatar. They haven’t made it out of the World Cup Group Stage since 2006 and have won just one of their nine fixtures since.

They have taken just one point from their last two World Cup campaigns and have a shortage of quality all over the pitch, with Melbourne City striker Matthew Leckie the top scorer in the squad with a miserly 13 goals in 73 appearances.

French defence to begin with victory

France may not be in the best of form but four of their last five victories have been accompanied by a clean sheet and Australia have lost to nil against Japan and Saudi Arabia this year, so I’m backing France to win to nil on Tuesday.

Graham Arnold’s men lost 2-0 to Japan in March and France’s last victory was a 2-0 triumph over Austria. With the favourites putting two past Australia last time these two sides met in their 2018 World Cup clash, I’m also going for a 2-0 correct score prediction.

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