Match Overview

France, led by coach Didier Deschamps, has had a shaky start in their campaign, picking up just three points from two matches last month. In contrast, Israel finds itself at the bottom of the group after suffering two defeats in September.

The French squad’s September was marked by a calamitous 3-1 defeat against Italy, where they conceded as many goals in that match as they did in their entire Euro 2024 journey. They rebounded quickly, however, with a 2-0 victory over Belgium, thanks to goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele. This win is crucial, as it halted a two-match losing streak and shifted momentum in their favor.

With the unexpected retirement of Antoine Griezmann and the absence of star player Kylian Mbappe, who has been omitted from the squad to focus on recovery, the pressure mounts on emerging talents like Kolo Muani and Dembele to deliver. The squad currently sits in second place in Group 2, which offers a direct path to the quarter-finals, but the challenge remains significant given their lackluster away form in the previous season's Nations League.

Israel's Struggles and Potential

Israel, on the other hand, has been battling against the odds. Conflict in the Middle East has forced them to relocate their home fixtures to Hungary. They climbed from League C to League A over the past six years, but their recent performances have left much to be desired. The team suffered a disheartening 3-1 loss to Belgium and followed it with a narrow defeat to Italy, leaving them desperate for improvement as they hold the last position in the group.

Statistically, Israel has only managed two wins in their last nine matches, with victories over Andorra and Belarus. Their history against France is also daunting, with only a single victory in nine encounters and two draws dating back to World Cup qualifiers in 2006.

Team News & Lineups

In the French camp, despite recovering from injury, Mbappe was excluded from this squad as a precaution. In his absence, a shift in strategy is expected, with Bradley Barcola likely to take his place on the left flank. Notably, Dayot Upamecano's withdrawal due to injury opens the door for Ibrahima Konate to step up alongside William Saliba in defense.

Israel has faced its share of injuries too, losing key players like captain Eli Dasa and forward Dor Turgeman. The status of Manor Solomon remains ambiguous, as he is reportedly staying in England for rehabilitation after missing several games for Leeds United. This creates an opportunity for the promising Oscar Gloukh to shine in a starting role.

Predicted Lineups:

- Israel: Gerafi; Feingold, Nachimas, Shlomo, Leidner; Abu Fani, Kanichowsky; Abada, Peretz, Gloukh; Baribo. - France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembele, Thuram, Barcola.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

While Israel boasts some bright offensive talents, they face an uphill battle against a determined French side adjusting to life without Griezmann and Mbappe. We predict a decisive win for France, projecting a scoreline of **France 3 - 0 Israel**. Deschamps’ men have the advantage and should confidently secure the points they desperately need as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the tournament.

Stay tuned as this thrilling match unfolds, promising excitement and revelations in the world of international football!