UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: France vs Ukraine - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Ukraine travel to France this week, hoping to continue their winning run in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers and make it three wins in a row. France, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after a two-all draw with Iceland last time around. 

Les Bleus won comfortably in the reverse fixture, so betting sites in NZ are showing strong faith in another France win. But underestimating Ukraine’s momentum might prove costly for the hosts. 

Read on for our France vs Ukraine preview and betting tips, including a $26 punt on the half-time/full-time result.

France

Didier Deschamps wants one final shot at taking France all the way at a World Cup. He's been in charge since 2012, delivered that incredible win in 2018, and nearly did it again four years later. 

France could've wrapped up their place for North America last month. An unexpected draw against Iceland, however, has prolonged their wait for World Cup confirmation. A win against Ukraine would be enough, though.

Team News: Kylian Mbappe should be fit for Ukraine after missing the Iceland match injured. Aurelien Tchouameni's suspension is done too, so he's back in contention.

Predicted Lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T Hernandez; K Thuram, Tchouameni; Coman, Olise, Ekitike; Mbappe.

Ukraine

Most football betting sites tipped Ukraine to finish second in Group D, and they’re right on course to do just that. 

One point from two games: that was Ukraine's miserable return after losing 2-0 to France and drawing 1-1 with Azerbaijan.

Then something clicked. Serhiy Rebrov's side thrashed Iceland 5-3 in an absolute goal fest before taking down Azerbaijan. Two wins later, they're sitting second in the group. Another win on Friday will move them closer to their first World Cup return since 2006.

Team News: Rebrov has gone with Taras Mykhavko and Yehor Nazarina this time, leaving out defender Arseniy Batagov and midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko from the squad. None of them are expected to start, though.

Predicted Lineup: Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Myklolenko; Voloshyn, Ocheretko, Yarmoliuk, Malinovskyi, Hutsuliyak; Dovbyk.

• France have only lost one competitive match against Ukraine. 
• France have only won one of their last three matches against Ukraine (the other two ended in draws).
• Both teams have scored in three of the last five France vs Ukraine matches. 

France had some high-profile absentees in the Iceland game. They will still miss the likes of Dembele, Barcola, and Konate on Friday. That said, France’s incredible squad depth and home ground advantage make them undisputed favourites across old and new betting sites. 

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for France in the last match, but the Crystal Palace forward is likely going to have to leave his spot to Kylian Mbappe. Tchouameni is expected to come in for Adrian Rabiot, a reminder of how stacked this France team is.

Ukraine have outscored France in the last two games. While Mbappe and company managed to score only five goals in their last two, Ukraine scored seven. However, the visitors have not been so impressive defensively. 

They have failed to keep a clean sheet so far, conceding four goals in the last two. France have shut out their opponents twice in the meantime. One of France’s clean sheets was against Ukraine. 

Ukraine have improved lately, yet getting a result against France on their own turf seems unlikely. It should be a comfortable win for the home team.

France/Draw @ $26.00  

Ukraine have conceded in the first half in three of their last four games. France are expected to come out strong, take an early lead, and then manage the game in the second half. A bet on France winning the first half and the match ending level looks a smart shout — with a generous payout of $26 at Bet and Play as well.