France vs Ivory Coast Predictions

• France have not conceded in five of their last six home games (four wins)
• Ivory Coast have failed to score in two of their three previous matches against France
• France’s Paris Saint-Germain contingent are unlikely to play

Champions League contingent to miss Ivory Coast clash

France return to action in Nantes on Thursday evening as Didier Deschamps’ side continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Ivory Coast.

Les Bleus will not be at full strength as several players involved in the Champions League final, such as Arsenal’s William Saliba and PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, Warren Zaire-Emery, Lucas Hernandez, Bradley Barcola, and Désiré Doué are granted extra rest.

But the hosts should still have enough quality in their ranks to take a morale-boosting victory, albeit their confidence is already pretty high after a run of eight wins and a draw in their last nine internationals.

Les Bleus can keep Elephants at bay

March’s two wins over Brazil and Colombia demonstrated how difficult to stop they have become and the Elephants are not in the same class as either of the two South American sides. But while both of those teams came out to play against France, Emerse Fae’s mindset might be to sit deep and frustrate Didier Deschamps’ side.

Ivory Coast have not conceded many goals either recently, beating Scotland 1-0 at Anfield in their last match days after a 4-0 thrashing of South Korea in Milton Keynes. Neither of those opponents are in France’s class, so expect a tough night for the African outfit.

Back France, who have not conceded in five of their last six home games, to win to nil and take a 1-0 correct score play because of the Elephants’ solid defensive record.