France VS Republic of Ireland Match Prediction

  • Logo2016-06-26
  • Logo13:00:00
France
VS
Republic of Ireland

Our Prediction Tip

France will win this match.

The head-to-head record between these sides shows a very mixed affair, with France having the edge thanks to their six wins, compared to Ireland's four. The last time the teams met was back in 2009 in a qualifying play-off for the 2010 World Cup, and even seven years after the two-legged tie, Irish supporters are understandably bitter about the outcome.

Nicolas Anelka's goal gave France a 1-0 win in the first leg in Dublin and the return game in Paris was a 1-1 draw, but Thierry Henry's handball in the build-up to William Gallas' strike for France helped to see his team through to the World Cup finals. The Irish will be out for revenge.

France v Republic of Ireland: Prediction

Even with the pressure of being Euro 2016 hosts, France should comfortably beat Ireland to go through to the quarter-finals. The spectre of 2009 weighs heavily on the Irish and while they will be desperate to make amends for Henry's handball, there is a dearth of attacking quality in their ranks, with striker Shane Long yet to score at the finals. France will likely have far too much going forward, even if their team is yet to click at Euro 2016.

France v Republic of Ireland: Betting Tips

The best price available on France is 4/9 for the hosts to win in 90 minutes and they are as short as 1/8 to go through to the quarter-finals, while Ireland can be backed at 11/2 to progress. Ireland are offered at 10/1 to win in 90 minutes but even the 16/5 offered on the draw does not seem like good value. Odds of 7/5 on France -1 on the handicap market - meaning they have to win by two clear goals - is tempting, as is the 19/4 that is available on a 2-0 win for the tournament's hosts.

Didier Deschamps rested players for the last match of the group stage and his reserves could only draw 0-0 with Switzerland, with none of the fresh faces included making a case to be selected in the team for the knock-out rounds. Stars like Dimitri Payet - who has two goals at the finals - should therefore return to the starting line-up, with Blaise Matuidi perhaps in line to be sacrificed to provide a touch more attacking thrust in midfield. Wide options are plentiful for Deschamps.

France likely XI: 

Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Rami, Evra, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.

Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill named a more attacking side last time out and was rewarded with a 1-0 win over Italy, a result that sent Ireland through into the next round. 

O'Neill could revert to a more defensive line-up here and he is likely to be forced into at least one change as left-back Stephen Ward is struggling with an ankle injury. Robbie Brady will move back to full-back if Ward does not make it, allowing Wes Hoolahan to come back into the first XI.

Republic of Ireland likely XI: 

Randolph, Coleman, Duffy, Keogh, Brady, Hendrick, McCarthy, Whelan, McClean, Hoolahan; Long.

There is a lot more to come from France and, assuming they cope with the pressure of hosting Euro 2016, this is a game they should win fairly easily. Getting through the group stage represented success for Ireland and they will not expect to beat France, although they are certainly capable of producing a shock result if they find their best form, having beaten Germany recently. But France ought to win here and they can do so by two clear goals.
Ireland\'s last win over France came nearly 25 years ago in qualifying for the 1982 World Cup, with the Irish triumphing 3-2 on home soil.