The Republic of Ireland will head to France to take on Group B favourites with the objective of staying relevant in their qualifying campaign.
Questions were raised over Didier Deschamps’s future as France manager after losing the World Cup final seven months ago, albeit with respect to his desire to continue. His team has responded with ample character to win their next four games, thus setting themselves up as favourites to get out of Group B as winners.
France are one of the four European clubs boasting a 100% record after four rounds of fixture. They have already beaten each Group B member to sit pretty at the summit with 12 points. Not all those victories have been convincing, including two slender 1-0 wins over Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ!
Here is the ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ players called up by Didier Deschamps for our two September matches ๐ฅ
๐๏ธ 07/09: ๐ซ๐ท France ๐ Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช
๐๏ธ 12/09: ๐ฉ๐ช Germany ๐ France ๐ซ๐ท #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/FVXauMKSyP— French Team โญโญ (@FrenchTeam) August 31, 2023
A win over the latter in France would edge them closer to qualifying as group winners and boast a solid record against their opponents. Les Bleus have not lost to Ireland in their last seven encounters. Since suffering a defeat to Croatia on home soil, Deschamps’s men have won three clashes at home without conceding. They have also not lost in their last 11 encounters against Ireland here.
Two defeats and a win from three Group B have left the Republic of Ireland fighting for their fate. They will aim to stay relevant in qualifying for Euro 2024. But Stephen Kenny’s side must show character and churn results.
There are still five games to go, including two against sleeping giants the Netherlands, who have only played two matches in this group. For Ireland to stand a chance to qualify, they must fight to win their remaining games, at least the ones against the Netherlands and Greece, who face each other on Thursday.
In truth, it is a tough task for Kenny’s men, but they will head to France seeking revenge for the reverse fixture in Dublin. Back then, they suffered a narrow defeat to Les Bleus. Now, the Irish will want to put in a solid performance that will revive their qualifying campaign and give them momentum ahead of some tough games.
Team News & Tactics
France
Didier Deschamps will have various options to call upon, and some key absentees will only matter a little for the France boss. Chief among those is Ibrahima Konate, who has been their preferred centre-back alongside Dayot Upamecano. In his place, in-form Arsenal star William Saliba could start, although Jean-Clair Todibo was also called up to the national team camp.
Les Bleus leave Clairefontaine, direction Paris! #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/k3Ax0c6OaS
— French Team โญโญ (@FrenchTeam) September 6, 2023
The fit-again Lucas Hernandez will have to fight to reclaim his place from sibling Theo Hernandez, who could start at left back. Jules Kounde might start on the other flank, while Mike Maignan will continue as Deschamps’s preferred choice between the sticks.
The manager has to make key decisions on his midfield and attacking personnel, as he will be spoilt for choices. In-form Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will have knocked on the door. Still, Deschamps might go with the experience of Adrien Rabiot alongside Camavinga in a midfield double pivot.
PSG trio Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani are all in contention, but Deschamps has other choices. Only Mbappe might get the nod from the trio in the starting eleven, as the manager could pick the experienced duo of Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud to play. At the same time, Kingsley Coman could also get to keep his place on the wings.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T.Hernandez; Rabiot, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Republic of Ireland
Stephen Kenny’s side will miss in-form Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson. He got ruled out with a knee injury only days after scoring a stunning hattrick against Newcastle United. His absence will raise caution as the striker may change allegiances to England. Under FIFA’s new eligibility rules, having played only three competitive games for his country, the striker can switch.
๐ฆ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ | Ferguson ruled out of @EURO2024 qualifiers
The @OfficialBHAFC striker has been ruled out following an injury sustained in the win over Newcastle United
After an assessment from the Irish medical team, he has been ruled out of both matches pic.twitter.com/c7e5EJDgi5
— Ireland Football โฝ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ช (@IrelandFootball) September 5, 2023
Kenny will switch his focus from that part and tinker with how to line up against France in their preferred 3-5-2 shape. Other notable absentees include Matt Doherty with a suspension, Michael Obafemi and Seamus Coleman with injuries.
The latter’s absence will allow Kenny to call upon Udinese man Festy Ebosele to feature as his right-wing back. John Egan also emerged as a minor injury doubt so Kenny could call up new Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele. He may not start as part of their back three.
With Ferguson absent, Kenny will rely on a front two comprising Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah as his preferred strike duo. Jayson Molumby will sit at the base of the five-man midfield, with support from Josh Cullen and Adam Browne on either side.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2):ย Bazunu; Collins, Duffy, O’Shea; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Browne, Manning; Ogbene, Idah
Key Stats
- France have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches against Ireland in all competitions.
- France have not lost any of their last 11 home games against Ireland.
- France have won all their last three games at home without conceding.
- Ireland’s last seven away defeats have all been by a 1-goal margin.
- Ireland have only one victory from their last five games on the road.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The France superstar will want to wrap up this group early for France, although they may have to play another game if they win over Ireland. Mbappe will want to finish this campaign on a high and keep himself motivated for the next task, the Euros. That’s the next trophy he wants to win with his national team squad.
Moreover, since becoming the captain of this side, Mbappe has scored four goals in as many games. He rapidly chases down Olivier Giroud’s record for the national side. He will play a key role in this fixture against Ireland and hopes to keep improving his record in front of goal.
Prediction
France 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Ireland have shown resilience and steel in their last many games away from home, including those where they suffered narrow defeats. Their embodiment and commitment to the task make them difficult to break down. But France has more than enough firepower to conduct the operation.
A Mbappe-led attack will prove too hot to handle for Kenny’s side, as the Irish side could slump to another defeat at the hands of the World Cup Finalists. Deschamps will expect nothing less than a win and keep his side’s 100% record in Group B intact.
