France
France reached the final of the World Cup four years ago and they look good value to reach the same stage of the competition if their first three games are anything to go by.
They topped Group I after winning all three matches, as they proved too much for Norway, Senegal and Iraq.
Their reward is a clash with Graham Potter’s Sweden, who finished third in Group F on four points.
Sweden hammered Tunisia 5-1 before then losing 5-1 to the Netherlands and they should come unstuck against France.
Didier Deschamps’ team have scored three goals or more in four consecutive matches and they should put Sweden to the sword in East Rutherford.
Injuries & Team News
France named what was more-or-less their strongest eleven against Norway in their final group stage game but they did make one big change as Arsenal centre-back William Saliba was rested as he nurses a back injury, although he is expected to be available for this one.
Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola have been vying for the starting spot alongside Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, with Doue set to win that race for now. There is also a debate about the left-back position with Lucas Hernandez seemingly set to get the nod, while Adrien Rabiot is expected to be preferred to Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Manu Kone in midfield.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 4-1 Norway | W L W W W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, L. Hernandez; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
Sweden
Sweden’s place at the World Cup was nearly in doubt after they failed to win a single qualifier. However, their Nations League performance allowed them a play-off spot and they famously beat Poland in the last minute to book their World Cup spot.
Under the guidance of Potter, Sweden have performed better in the final third and they have now scored in nine consecutive matches.
This bodes well for the clash with France, as Deschamps has been unable to keep his team compact at the back. Les Bleus have conceded in eight of their last 10, and they were unable to stop Norway scoring, despite the fact that they fielded a weakened team.
Injuries & Team News
Atalanta centre-back Isak Hien was forced off due to a thigh injury against Japan and so he is now been ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Lucas Bergvall replaced him with Victor Lindelof dropping back from midfield but it would be more likely to see Graham Potter sure things up from the start here with Carl Starfelt starting in defence.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Japan | W L D W L D |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2):
Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Starfelt, Lindelof; Bernhardsson, Ayari, Bergvall, Gudmundsson; Elanga; Isak, Gyokeres
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| France Win | 3/10 — (1.30) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 5/1 – (6.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Sweden Win | 9/1 – (10.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
France 3-1 Sweden
There is a big gulf in class between these two sides, France have the ability to open up any defence in the world and Sweden are vulnerable. This might be one of the more routine fixtures in the last 32.