France vs Iraq Prediction: More Mbappe magic on its way on Monday

A strong second-half display on Tuesday saw France begin their FIFA World Cup campaign with a victory over Senegal. Their next Group I fixture comes on Monday when they take on Iraq in Philadelphia (5pm local/10pm BST, BBC One).

Iraq have given themselves work to do after they suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway. Below you'll find my France vs Iraq predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

France boss Didier Deschamps only made two substitutions against Senegal despite a disappointing first-half performance. Bradley Barcola came on to help secure the victory and he'll be pushing for a start, perhaps at the expense of his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Desire Doue.

Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace last time out and he's expected to keep his place up front. He'll likely be aided by Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold may consider notable changes in response to the Norway defeat. This could see Utrecht's Zidane Iqbal promoted from the bench into midfield.

Aymen Hussein should maintain his place up front following his consolation goal last time out.

France vs Iraq Odds

France are the heavy favourites to win this clash at 1/10 and they've won five of their past six fixtures.

Iraq are a 25/1 long shot to pull off the upset in Philadelphia. The draw can be backed at 17/2.

Over 3.5 Goals struck in both side's Group I openers and it's valued at 10/11 for this contest.

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Handicap - 3 - France -3 @ 7/4

It took them 45 minutes to get going but that second-half display against Senegal showed France at their brightest, which is why I think it's going to take a very special team to deny them a third World Cup title.

Iraq were second best against Norway, a side with plenty of firepower but not to the same level as France. Les Bleus have the strongest attacking roster in North America this summer and I think there'll be plenty of goals on offer to them in this match.

France have scored at least four goals in three of their previous 12 outings at the tournament finals, and I think they're worth backing to win this game with a -3 handicap. This means that Iraq would start the contest with a hypothetical 3-0 lead.

I'm expecting Les Bleus to defeat Iraq comfortably and I can see them doing so by a four-goal margin.

Player To Score Two Or More Goals - Kylian Mbappe @ 9/5

Someone who can play a key role in France scoring four goals is their main man Mbappe. His brace against Senegal cemented him as his nation's all-time leading goalscorer, and his record at the World Cup finals now stands at 14 in 15 appearances.

In five of those outings, the France striker has scored at least two goals. He's the person I tipped to win the Golden Boot in North America and he's already off to a flying start.

Against an Iraq side who really struggled to contain Norway, I think their fortune is not going to change against the magic of Mbappe. I'm backing him to score at least twice on Monday at 9/5, which has an implied probability of 35.7%.