Euro 2024: Austria x France, Match Preview, Odds, Team News and Predictions(17/06/2024)

Second only to Argentina, who defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final, France is the most incredible team in Europe according to FIFA's global rating. Five years after losing finalists to Portugal in their home Euros, France had less luck at Euro 2020, losing in the round of sixteen. Still, France won their first Euro 2020 match. In six of their ten tournament appearances, they won their first Euros game. Conversely, Austria has lost two of their last three opening games and is making their fourth appearance at the European Championships.

It does not follow, therefore, that Austria will be a pushover. They are in excellent shape going into this event. Austria had only lost once in their last 14 games since the conclusion of their disastrous 2022 UEFA Nations League campaign, a defeat to Belgium in Euro 2024 qualification. They have, nonetheless, scored in every one of their last 15 games. In September 2022, France defeated Austria 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League to become the last side to keep them out.

Austria x France Team News

Though Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic are well-known to Premier League fans from their time with Manchester United and Stoke, respectively, and their current exploits with Borussia Dortmund and Inter, Konrad Laimer, a versatile midfielder/right-back for Bayern Munich, is the one who ties everything together for Ralf Rangnick.

In 2023–2024, he performed outstandingly in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. He hopes to propel his nation ahead in Germany and escape a problematic group. He ought to start in a formidable midfield with Nicolas Seiwald and Florian Grillitsch, which would test anybody. And defense is probably going to be the foundation of Austria's success. Injuries prevent David Alaba from playing. Therefore, Philipp Mwene, Kevin Danso, Gernot Trauner, and Philipp Lienhart will probably be the ones who will keep Heinz Lindner safe on the net.

With William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, and Dayot Upamecano vying for two positions at center-back after the announcement that Lucas Hernandez had ruptured his ACL and would miss the competition, Jules Kounde was predicted to start right-back.

Just behind France's record goalscorer Olivier Giroud, who is anticipated to receive the nod again up front, Antoine Griezmann will continue in his new hybrid number 10 position that he has thrived in for his nation. From the wide spots, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé will do the damage. Mbappé can cut in and let the energetic Theo Hernandez do what he does best—fly down the left side.

With Adrien Rabiot and N'Golo Kanté on standby in case either is unavailable, Real Madrid duo Aurélien Tchouaméni and the adaptable Eduardo Camavinga—who can play left-back or center-back if needed—should anchor the midfield.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

France won both encounters the last time these two teams played in the Nations League. First, there was a 1-1 draw in Austria, then Didier Deschamps' team won 2-0 thanks to goals by Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.

France has a challenging group of the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria to go past if they are to win the European Championships for a third time.

Didier Deschamps' team hopes to go one better and win the title in Germany after heartbreak at the World Cup in Qatar when they lost on penalties to Argentina in the final despite Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick.

First up is an Austrian team that has performed well under new manager Ralf Rangnick, qualifying in second place only one point behind Belgium and losing just once in their eight games. Though they have improved, France will still win this game and open the competition with a victory as they try to win Group D.

Les Bleus were almost faultless in qualifying. In their eight games, in which they won seven and drew one, they scored 29 goals, had six clean sheets, and gave up only three. Their lone mishap was a 2-2 tie with Greece, although Didier Deschamps's understaffed team had already guaranteed them first position.

They will once again rely on their star Kylian Mbappé, who is full of confidence following another 40+ goal season for PSG, completing his dream transfer to Real Madrid and winning the World Cup Golden Boot in Qatar in 2022.

Our Predictions

France to win @1.58 on Sky247.ng

France is a hot favorite to add to their trophy collection by winning Euro 2024, having advanced to the final of three of the last four significant competitions they have participated in.

On Monday, however, they had a difficult first match against an Austrian team that had improved dramatically under Ralf Rangnick.

Das Team lost only one of their previous 16 games, a 3-2 loss to the Belgians, and concluded qualifying just one point behind a strong Belgium team.

During that run, Rangnick's team defeated Sweden in qualifying both at home and away, as well as Germany and Italy.

Both teams to score @1.70 on Sky247.ng

Austria is expected to pose a threat to any team they play in the competition after winning 6-1 over Turkey lately.

They have suffered two setbacks regarding injuries: goalie Alexander Schlager is out, and captain David Alaba is still recovering from a knee complaint.

This Austrian squad does, however, have several excellent players, most especially in midfield, where Konrad Laimer, Nicolas Seiwald, Florian Grillitsch, Christoph Baumgartner, and Marcel Sabitzer—an all-Bundesliga quintet—are probably going to start.

Though it's unclear whether Marko Arnautovic or Michael Gregoritsch will start up front, this strong team shouldn't be undervalued.

France had few problems qualifying, winning all but one game and ending four points ahead of the Netherlands in second place. They finished their warm-up for the tournament with a quiet 0-0 draw against Canada.

With a 14-0 victory against Gibraltar, Les Bleus broke a qualification record, and while this is unlikely to be as high-scoring, it should still be an exciting first game.

Over 2.5 goals @1.75 on Sky247.ng

Both sides in Austria have scored in their previous three games, and it has been 17 games since Das Team last failed to score.

France has won five of its past nine games where both sides have scored over 2.5 goals, and this group match is expected to be no different.

Some of the greatest offensive players in the world, France has scored at least twice in six of their previous eight games.

Take Didier Deschamps' team to win this one 2-1, as Les Bleus could edge it.

Marcus Thuram had a strong inter-season and most likely forced his way into the starting lineup for France.

In qualifying, the 26-year-old scored twice in 164 minutes; he could strike again today.

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