France vs Denmark – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is France vs Denmark on and what time does it start? France vs Denmark will take place on Saturday 26th November, 2022 – 16:00 (UK)
Where is France vs Denmark taking place? France vs Denmark will take place at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for France vs Denmark? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for France vs Denmark
What channel is France vs Denmark on in the UK? France vs Denmark will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream France vs Denmark in the UK? France vs Denmark can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
FRANCE
- France overcame an early scare as they produced a ruthless display to put four goals past Australia in their opening clash of the 2022 FIFA World Cup but this is a tougher task for them as they take on Denmark.
- Didier Deschamps’ side know they will need to go up another level despite producing a good performance against the Socceroos, although they have been hit by the loss of Lucas Hernandez for the rest of the tournament after he suffered a ruptured ACL.
DENMARK
- Denmark were left frustrated in their clash with Tunisia earlier in the week as their FWC campaign got off to a disappointing start and the pressure will be on for them to produce an improved effort against reigning world champions France.
- The Danes were wasteful in front of goal while they were guilty of being too open at the back at times so changes may well be in the offing with one enforced after Thomas Delaney picked up a knee injury in the draw with the Tunisians.
THE TEAM NEWS
FRANCE
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
UNAVAILABLE: Lucas Hernandez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Kingsley Coman (Injured)
DENMARK
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Andersen, Kjaer, Christensen; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Norgaard, Maehle; Eriksen; Skov Olsen, Dolberg
UNAVAILABLE: Thomas Delaney (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- France have now won their last five World Cup matches equalling their best-ever winning streak at the finals. They previously had a five-match winning sequence across the 1986 and 1998 tournaments
- France are unbeaten in their last eight World Cup matches – matching their longest unbeaten streak at the finals which they achieved on two previous occasions
- France have lost only two of their last 14 World Cup matches against European opposition (W8 D4) although one of the defeats came against Denmark (L 2-0 in the group stage in 2002)
- France are aiming to start a World Cup final competition with two successive wins for the third edition in a row and the fourth time overall. They won their first two games in 1998, 2014 and 2018
- An appearance for Hugo Lloris will see him move level with Lilian Thuram on 16 World Cup appearances for France. Only Thierry Henry and Fabien Barthez (both 17) have played more games for France at the finals
- Olivier Giroud is the joint-top scorer for the French national team with Thierry Henry on 51 goals
- Kylian Mbappé has scored five World Cup goals, one behind Thierry Henry who is second on the all-time list of goalscorers for France in the competition. Just Fontaine (13) is the leader
- Against Australia, Olivier Giroud (36y 53d) became the oldest player to play for France in a World Cup match and also the oldest player to scorer for them at the finals
- This is Denmark’s tenth World Cup match against European opposition. It is their fourth encounter with France
- Denmark are looking to win a third successive match against France in 2022, having won both of their meetings in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year
- Denmark have lost only three of their previous 16 FIFA World Cup group stage matches (W8 D5)
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs Denmark have not lost in their last five World Cup matches (W1 D4). This is their longest run without a loss in the competition
- Denmark’s last four FIFA World Cup matches have all finished level. A draw in this match would see Denmark equal the competition record of five successive draws which Belgium recorded in 1998-2002
- Denmark's last two World Cup group stage matches have finished without a goal being scored. One of which was their encounter against France in their final group match at Russia 2018
- Denmark have kept a clean sheet in their last two World Cup matches against France
THE PREDICTION
France had little trouble in getting the better of Australia despite falling behind early on in that contest. They know they will need to be better in this clash as they take on Denmark but the Danes will need to produce a much better performance having struggled in their game with Tunisia. Denmark were underwhelming on both sides of the ball but they are capable of more here and facing a higher standard of opposition may draw it out of them. This should be an open game with chances aplenty so it is worth backing both teams to find the back of the net.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
