France vs Bulgaria Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
France take on Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying Group A this Friday. Read the match predictions to find out why Les Bleus are the betting tip to get three points at the Stade de France.
France vs Bulgaria Preview
Beaten Euro 2016 finalists France appeared to be suffering something of a hangover when drawing 0-0 away to Belarus in their opening match. They sit joint fourth in the standings while Bulgaria are at the top of the table after a thrilling 4-3 triumph over minnows Luxembourg.
Didier Deschamps will be without Olivier Giroud here, so could start Kevin Gameiro in front of his Atletico Madrid teammate Antoine Griezmann. Dimitri Payet came off the bench in Barysaw but could oust Anthony Martial and claim a starting berth on the left flank. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola along with defenders Presnel Kimpembe and Aymeric Laporte are the uncapped players in the squad but changes at the back are unlikely and they may have to wait a little longer for their first cap.
Bulgaria manager Petar Hubchev will be pleased with his side’s attacking flair in the previous match but also concerned with his porous defence. Ivelin Popov grabbed a goal in the win over Luxembourg and will be joined by fellow goalscorer Dimitar Rangelov in attack. Skipper Svetoslav Dyakov will patrol the engine room and it could remain unchanged at the back, despite leaking goals lately.
Team Predictions France vs Bulgaria
France 4-2-3-1 formation: Lloris, Sidibe, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa; Pogba, Kante; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Gameiro
Bulgaria 4-4-2 formation: Stoyanov; Popov, Chorbadzhiyski, Ivanov, Nedyalkov; Milanov, Dyakov, Marcelinho, Aleksandrov; Rangelov, Popov
France vs Bulgaria Betting Tips
- France have won 7 drawn 3 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Bulgaria have won 5 drawn 0 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, France have scored an average of 2.0 goals and conceded an average of 0.5 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bulgaria have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.9 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of France’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Bulgaria’s previous 10 matches
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
France vs Bulgaria Prediction
France just couldn’t find the crucial breakthrough against Portugal before having their hearts broken to lose 1-0 in Extra Time. They bounced back in good style to beat Italy 1-3 in an exhibition match but looked to be misfiring once more in the bore-draw against Belarus.
Bulgaria didn’t make it to Euro 2016 and instead took part in the Kirin Cup where they were easy meat for Japan and Denmark who won 7-2 and 4-0 respectively. They’ll be glad to have picked up a win in the opening match of this qualification process but it’s not often Luxembourg score 3, which has to be a concern.
The fact that France took the Euro 2016 Final to extra-time means that they haven’t lost in 90 minutes for 13 matches. Aside from the odd goal here and there, they have been rock solid at the back and it would be a surprise if Bulgaria got on the scoresheet in Saint-Denis.
The slight concern is at the other end of the pitch, where France have occasionally struggled for goals. However, given that Bulgaria have been shipping goals left, right and centre, an early breakthrough could see the floodgates open and I’m plumping for a comfortable home win.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
France to win to nil at 1/2 with bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Over 2.5 goals at 8/15 with bet365
Correct Score Prediction
France to win 3-0 at 53/10 with 888Sport
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