We’re into the first international break of the season and there’s nothing anyone can do about it no matter how hard you try. It’s Nations League action on Friday night and this France v Italy game actually looks like a pretty good one to be fair.
So, to celebrate an international game that might be worth a second look, we’ve enlisted our tipster Sam Farley to give it the once over for your Friday night entertainment.
France v Italy betting tips
France (-1)
France to be winning at halftime
Both teams to score? No
Over 2.5 goals
Bradley Barcola to score
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Friday 6th of September – 7.45pm
WHERE: Parc des Princes, Paris
France (-1)
We’re starting off the Bet Builder by taking the -1 handicap on France. While France vs Italy is the sort of fixture that conjures up memories of great sides facing each other, of Zidane vs Materazzi, the reality in 2024 is very different.
The quality of the French team is renowned, they’re exceptional but this Italy team is incredibly poor. It’s something that is said nearly every time Italy go into a game but this is the poorest Italy squad in recent memory and they’ll be punished by a France team who are quicker, stronger, more technical and possess more elite experience.
France to be winning at halftime
France take qualification for tournaments very seriously and historically that can’t be said for how they’ve approached the Nations League, where their results haven’t generally been as good as their qualification campaigns.
However, they come into this following a very disappointing Euro 2024 and Didier Deschamps has a point to prove. This team is hungry and he’ll send them out to attack the Italians early and they should have the lead by halftime, such is the gulf in quality.
Both teams to score? No
There is nowhere you see the gulf in quality more than in both team’s attacks. The Italian team have a good goalkeeping department and while their defense isn’t great it’s still a solid unit. However, their midfield isn’t a strong point, as evidenced by the instant recall of Sandro Tonali who has just returned from a 10-month ban and hasn’t earned a spot based on form. Then there’s the attack which is a pale imitation of Italian teams of the past.
It looks certain that Everton reject Moises Kean will start and he’s failed to reach the promise shown early in his career with just one 10+ goal league season to his name, back in 20/21 with PSG. Mateo Retegui will play up top too and comes into this in good form with three in three for Atalanta but he’s not good enough to get the Italians scoring when the service around him is limited.
Over 2.5 goals
Despite being confident in a French clean sheet we’re still taking Over 2.5 goals in the match purely down to the quality in the French team, where Les Bleus are absolutely stacked in talent. We know the captain Kylian Mbappe and vice-captain Antoine Griezmann will be starting but alongside them there’s a huge amount of exciting players who are all dangerous in front of goal.
They have Marcus Thuram as well as new Bayern Munich man Michael Olise who is set to earn his first senior French cap. Then there’s the PSG attacking trio Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola, who have all been incredible so start the season.
Bradley Barcola to score
One of the main reasons behind that brilliant PSG start to the season has been Bradley Barcola. He arrived at PSG last season but it seems that the departure of Mbappe has really allowed him, and the rest of the team, to showcase their wider talents outside of his shadow.
Barcola has been electric on the left flank for PSG, scoring four goals in three games, of which just two were starts. His dribbling is terrifying and his finishing has been near-perfect. We’re likely to see Mbappe start more central, which should mean Deschamps picks Barcola on the left and given his incredible form he has a great chance of scoring against the Italians.
France v Italy Bet Builder tips
France (-1)
France to be winning at halftime
Both teams to score? No
Over 2.5 goals
Bradley Barcola to score
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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