Ireland team news
There will be a number of changes to the Ireland team that defeated Latvia last Wednesday, with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu expected to replace Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher between the posts.
Atletico Madrid right-back Matt Doherty wore the captain's armband in the last game, but his place is under threat from chief captain Seamus Coleman, with the Everton defender enjoying more regular game time in the Premier League.
Midfielders Josh Cullen and Jason Knight are likely to come into the reckoning, having been rested, but Will Smallbone's performance against Latvia has given the head coach a dilemma. Sheffield United centre-back John Egan is expected to return to the heart of the defence, while Evan Ferguson, who was recently included in the 2023 NXGN list, will continue to lead the attack.
Ireland are missing a number of experienced campaigners for the game, including prolific Fulham centre-back Shane Duffy and forward Callum Robinson, who has eight goals to his name for the Boys in Green.
| Position | Players |
|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Bazunu, Kelleher, Travers |
| Defenders: | McClean, Coleman, Doherty, Egan, O'Dowda, O'Shea, Collins, Omobamidele, Brady |
| Midfielders: | Hendrick, Browne, Cullen, Molumby, Knight, McGrath, Sykes, Smallbone |
| Forwards: | Parrott, Ogbene, Idah, Obafemi, Keane, Ferguson, Johnston |
France team news
The Euro 2024 qualifying campaign marks something of a turning point for Les Bleus, with experienced heads such as Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris passing the torch to a new generation, while Mbappe has been handed the captain's armband.
Didier Deschamps' decision to give the honour to the Paris Saint-Germain striker ahead of Antoine Griezmann prompted a flurry of controversy and headlines, but the noise has evidently not distracted the players, who put on a polished display against the Dutch last time out.
As such, Deschamps is unlikely to make many changes for the game against Ireland. Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate will continue as the centre-back pairing in front of new number one, Mike Maignan. Mbappe, Griezmann and Kingsley Coman will provide the pace and guile to support either Randal Kolo Muani or Olivier Giroud in attack.
| Position | Players |
|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Samba, Maignan, Areola |
| Defenders: | Pavard, Disasi, Upamecano, Kounde, Konate, Todibo, Theo |
| Midfielders: | Fofana, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Veretout, K. Thuram, Camavinga |
| Forwards: | Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, M. Thuram, Muani, Diaby, Coman |
Head-to-head record
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|
| May 28, 2018 | France 2-0 Ireland | Friendly |
| Jun 26, 2016 | France 2-1 Ireland | Euro 2016 |
| Nov 18, 2009 | France 1-1 Ireland | World Cup 2010 play-off |
| Nov 14, 2009 | Ireland 0-1 France | World Cup 2010 play-off |
| Sep 7, 2005 | Ireland 0-1 France | World Cup 2006 qualifying |
France have not lost in their last seven meetings with Ireland, recording four victories and three draws against the Boys in Green. The last time Ireland beat France was on October 14, 1981, when goals from Frank Stapleton and Michael Robinson helped them on their way to a famous win in the 1982 World Cup qualifying stage.
The last meeting between the sides was a friendly game in 2018, which France won 2-0 thanks to goals from Giroud and Nabil Fekir. Interestingly, among those to play in that game was Declan Rice, who later switched international allegiance to England.
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