New Zealand U23 vs France U23 Predictions

• France are already assured of a spot in the knockout stages
• New Zealand must avoid defeat to stand any chance of qualifying for the next round
• This is the first meeting at the Olympics between the two nations

Hosts can condemn OlyWhites to early exit

Two wins from two has confirmed hosts France’s spot in the quarter-finals and Thierry Henry’s men can end their group stage campaign in style against a New Zealand side still reeling from their heavy defeat to the United States last time out.

Les Bleus are yet to concede in this tournament after 3-0 and 1-0 victories over Guinea and the USA respectively and many of their star names have performed so far in Paris, with captain Alexandre Lacazette and new Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise shining up front for the French.

New Zealand looked on course to qualify for a second successive Olympic knockout stage after their opening 2-1 victory over Guinea but a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of the USA – in which the OlyWhites were 3-0 down at half-time – leaves the Oceanic nation in need of a minor miracle.

There is a real gulf in class in terms of individual quality between the two squads and, while the French may rotate in preparation for the next round, they should still possess enough quality to get the job done and our prediction is a 2-0 win for the hosts.