Austria vs France Prediction: Mbappe to start as he means to go on
Austria lock horns with France in this Euro 2024 Group D clash on Monday night (20:00, BBC One) at the Merkur-Spiel Arena in Dusseldorf. France will be looking for a much better showing after they crashed out of the last edition at the round of 16 stage at the hands of Switzerland.
Austria also made it to the same stage but were beaten by eventual winners Italy in extra-time. Both these teams will want to at least reach the knockout stage again this summer, but France will have loftier ambitions. Below I have outlined my Austria vs France prediction, featuring match odds and team news.
Austria vs France Betting Tips
Austria are 11/2 to beat the former world champions, which gives them a 15.4% chance of victory. France are 8/15 to take the victory, giving them an implied probability of 65.2%. The draw can be backed at 16/5 (23.8%).
Both teams to score is on offer at 4/5 and over 2.5 goals is 4/6.
France forward Kylian Mbappe scored nine goals in qualifying for this tournament, and is one of the favourites for the Golden Boot. He is priced at 5/1 to score two or more goals on Monday night.
Austria's Marcel Sabitzer registered four himself and he is marketed at 9/2 to score anytime in this contest.
Team News
After playing a key role in qualifying and in Borussia Dortmund's run to the Champions League final, Marcel Sabitzer should take to the middle of the park for Austria. If Ralf Rangnick was to opt for a three-man midfield then you would expect Florian Grillitsch and Konrad Laimer to play alongside him.
Das Team are without the services of key defender David Alaba and his absence is sure to be noted during this tournament. Up top there is going to be some friendly competition between all-time leading scorer Marko Arnautovic and Michael Gregoritsch for the centre-forward role, or Rangnick could deploy them both.
France are probably the toughest team to call when predicting a starting XI because their squad depth is frightening. Mbappe is probably the only player guaranteed to start every match, while there will be fierce competition for all the other 10 spots.
Eduardo Camavinga played mostly at left-back at the Qatar World Cup 18 months ago but he could be pushed higher up the field at the Euros, and he could partner his Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni. Antoine Griezmann is set to play a part because of his importance to Les Bleus.
The likes of Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman and Bradley Barcola will be eyeing up the attacking positions alongside Mbappe.
Kylian Mbappe first goalscorer @ 5/2
As he gears up for his first season with Real Madrid in 2024/25, Mbappe has the chance to head to his new club with some more international silverware to add to his 2018 World Cup.
Both he and Les Bleus will be aiming for glory in Germany, and he will of course play a starring role if that is to happen. Nine goals in qualifying sets him up nicely for the finals.
The attacker will also bring with him the experience and confidence that comes with netting eight goals at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. That will have enhanced his abilities on the international stage and although he blanked at Euro 2020, I don't think history will repeat itself this summer.
Mbappe is one of the favourites for the Golden Boot and I expect he will lay down a marker in his first appearance, and the best way to get value on him to score is by backing him to open the scoring.
Over 2.5 France goals @ 7/4
France are stacked with quality and there is no shortage of goals from their attacking and midfield options. I feel confident in backing them to score three goals on Monday night. Austria are prone to conceding and without key defender David Alaba, the floodgates could open to this potent French squad.
Les Bleus have passed the over 2.5 goals threshold in two of their last three competitive fixtures and I think they will want to fire a warning to their rivals in their first taste of action at Euro 2024.
Even if the players Didier Deschamps selects to start were to not have the impact they were expecting, he has more than enough quality in the deputies who will be waiting in the wings to seize an opportunity and push for a start in the following match.
France to win 3-1 @ 11/1
If I had to guess the scoreline, I'm inclined to go 3-1 France. I don't see any other outcome than a win for Deschamps' men, and I have already given my reasons for why I think they can score at least three goals.
However, I don't think they will manage to keep a clean sheet. Austria under Rangnick won't make this an easy clash and they have the capability to strike on the break. I would go for Arnautovic or Gregoritsch if I was looking for an Austrian goalscorer.
Monday (17/06): Place an In-Play bet of £10 or more odds of 1/2+ on Romania v Ukraine or Belgium v Slovakia and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Austria v France.
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Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!
You can read all our latest Euro 2024 Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.
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