France vs Spain Prediction: Yamal & Mbappe to combine for Bet Builder Double

Fresh from nailing a 2-1 scoreline in the Spain vs Belgium Quarter-Final (at 13/2), our Spanish Football expert expects similar on Tuesday evening, although not in the way he might hope. 

Our man in Madrid Mark Sochon previews the first World Cup Semi-Final, which is on ITV1 in the UK from 8PM. You can check out his two Best Bets along with that Correct Score Prediction right here on Betfred Insights...

France and Spain meet in a heavyweight semi-final as the longest-ever World Cup reaches its decisive last week. These two sides are familiar foes having clashed in each of the previous two summers.  

Recent history certainly favours La Roja. A wondergoal from wonderkid Lamine Yamal helped settle a semi-final meeting at Euro 2024. The winger was just 16 at the start of that tournament, but he turned 19 on Monday as these nations prepare to go head-to-head again on the biggest stage of all.  

Spain were also 5-4 winners against France in a thrilling Nations League semi-final last June, with Yamal scoring twice. Luis de la Fuente's team would have won that match much more convincingly had they not taken their foot off the gas in the latter stages.  

One year on, it's safe to say that the reigning European champions will be expecting a much tougher test against a revitalised French side that has excelled at this competition so far.  

They have been the standout team, winning all six of their fixtures in regulation time. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise have spearheaded the most exciting attack in the tournament. Between them, the trio have registered a combined total of 13 goals and 10 assists, while Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola have also made important contributions.  

France overpowered Morocco in the last round, with a dominant display producing a 2-0 victory, despite Mbappé's early penalty miss. Les Bleus have also kept it tight at the back, with no goals conceded so far in the knockout stage.  

If there's one area in which Spain could have the advantage, it's midfield. Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot were France's starters in the centre of the park in the last round, and that's the one part of the pitch where Didier Deschamps' team could potentially be found wanting.  

La Roja will be looking to Rodri to produce a big performance in midfield, but it's Arsenal's Mikel Merino who has been the most decisive contributor for Spain so far in the knockout stage. He has come off the bench to net late winners in each of the last two rounds, with the Iberians seeing off both Portugal and Belgium.  

Overall, Spain have not hit the heights of Euro 2024. Yamal remains stuck on just one goal and no assists at this World Cup, although he has consistently asked questions of opposing defenders. Pedri has also been some way short of his best level, with De la Fuente opting to drop the midfielder against Belgium last time out.  

Despite some of those shortcomings, La Roja are still worthy of their place in the semi-finals. They have been the better side in each of their three knockout fixtures and have only conceded one goal at this World Cup. However, De la Fuente's men may need to find an extra gear or two if their journey is not to end in Dallas on Tuesday.  

Team News:  

France are expecting to have a full squad available for this World Cup semi-final. They were outstanding across the pitch against Morocco, with the North Africans barely threatening.  

That suggests Deschamps could opt for an unchanged lineup in Dallas. However, Aurélien Tchouaméni is pushing for a recall in midfield, while Barcola and Doué remain locked in a close battle for a starting role on the left flank.  

As for Spain, there are no fresh fitness concerns, although Nico Williams continues to only play a bit-part role following his recent injury struggles. 

The big call for De la Fuente will centre around the midfield. Fabián Ruiz started and scored against Belgium and may be preferred to Pedri again. Merino is an alternative option, but could be deployed as an impact sub once more. 

*You can check out all of the live World Cup Odds across all of our markets over on betfred.com

Today 20:00, World Cup Final Stage

France

VS

Spain

France 11/8 Draw 11/5 Spain 21/10

Match Preview

Match Odds: 

France are the 11/8 favourites to win this match in regulation time. You can back the Draw at 9/4, while Spain are on offer at 21/10 to advance into the final with a victory inside 90 minutes. 

Les Bleus are available at 6/5 to score over 1.5 goals, while they're on offer at 12/5 to win a match featuring over 2.5 goals. The favourites are also priced at 3/1 to win the game to nil. 

Spain are available at 13/8 to score over 1.5 goals, while you can back De la Fuente's team to win either half at 1/1. They are given a 16/5 chance of scoring in both halves. 

Deschamps will be hoping his side's superiority in attack will prove decisive. Mbappé leads the way as the 3/1 favourite to score first, while he's on offer at 1/1 as an anytime goalscorer bet. 

Alternative options in the Player to Score (Sub Switch) market include Dembélé at 21/10, Mikel Oyarzabal at 9/5, and Yamal at 21/10. Given his heroics off the bench in the last two rounds, Merino also looks good at 11/1 to score last in this game. 

*You can bet on this match and get all of the live France vs Spain Odds over on betfred.com...

Bet 1 - Lamine Yamal 3+ shots (Sub Switch) & Kylian Mbappé to score or assist (Sub Switch) @ 1.3/1 

It has been an extraordinary World Cup so far from Mbappé, who always seems to produce his best football on this stage. France's talisman has registered two goal contributions in five of his six appearances at this tournament, while he also scored against Paraguay.  

He has certainly outshone Yamal, who hasn't posted such impressive figures, but he is getting sharper following a hamstring injury that prematurely ended his club season. Spain's main attacking outlet is still likely to be the teenager, who is averaging 3.8 shots per game at this World Cup. He's had 15 attempts in three outings since the start of the knockout phase.  

Therefore, I'm using the Bet Builder to back Yamal 3+ shots (Sub Switch) and Mbappé to score or assist (Sub Switch) at 1.3/1. 

Bet 2 - Most corners - Spain @ 23/20

Despite creating many clear opportunities, France only enjoyed a 48% share of the ball against Morocco, while the corner count finished level. Against a much stronger opponent in the last four, a similar kind of game could develop. 

Les Bleus will be happy to cede possession and territory to Spain, in the knowledge that they have the greater ability to break quickly and decisively. De la Fuente's men have won at least four more corners than their opponents in every knockout match so far at this World Cup. I'm backing them to win the most corners in this game too at 23/20.