France vs Republic of Ireland betting tips: Les Bleus to grind out victory against stubborn visitors

Planet Sport is backing the Republic of Ireland to make life tough for Didier Deschamps and France when the teams meet in a Euro 2024 Qualifier this week.

Date, KO time and TV coverage

Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Thursday, September 7, Kick-off 7.45pm, live on Viaplay Sports 2

Predicted score

France 1-0 Ireland

Suggested bets

Republic of Ireland +1.5 Asian handicap

Under 2.5 goals

France vs Ireland team news

Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud are all expected to feature in attack while Arsenal’s William Saliba could partner Dayot Upamecano in defence.

Chelsea’s Axel Disasi, Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara and West Ham’s Alphonse Areola will be on the bench but Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been forced to withdraw due to injury.

Brighton’s hat-trick hero Evan Ferguson will plough a lone furrow at the top of the pitch, supported by Jason Knight and Chiedozoe Ogbene.

Gavin Bazunu will continue in goal with Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea at the heart of the defence, but an injury concern for John Egan has seen Andrew Omobamidele called up.

France vs Republic of Ireland betting preview

There isn’t an Irish football fan alive that will ever forgive Thierry Henry for the handball that may have robbed their nation of the most improbable of World Cup qualifications.

Four years later, the men in green stood firm again, that is until a William Gallas goal in the 103rd minute of the match set the two-time World Cup winners to South Africa.

There have been several, narrow heart-breaking defeats since then. You have to go back to 1981 for Ireland’s last victory against their illustrious opponents.

Thursday’s meeting at Stade de France is another huge test for Stephen Kenny’s men and regardless of the gap on paper, we suspect it will follow a similar pattern.

Ireland are as stubborn as they come at this level, losing by two clear goals in just two of their previous 45 qualifiers.

They’ve left Denmark, Germany, Wales, Russia and Bosnia among others with at least a point during that time and even beat Germany 1-0 at home.

Regardless of who plays, it’s a defence-first approach that should be able to frustrate Deschamp’s men at times.

France have a perfect record in the group so far, winning their opening four matches and thumping the Netherlands 4-0.

However, they also had to grind out 1-0 wins against Greece and Ireland in the reverse fixture, and beating Gibraltar 3-0 is not a flattering result for an elite side.

It’s impossible to bet against the embarrassment of riches on show, but we think that the visitors will stand firm for large parts and may even keep them honest on the break.