Greece - France predictions and free betting tips [21/11/2023]

On Tuesday, 21st November, within the 10th round of the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament, the Greek national team will face the French national team. The visitors "sensationally" defeated Gibraltar on Saturday with an unseemly football score of 14:0, while the Southerners overcame New Zealand (2:0) in a friendly match.

Predicted Lineups

Greece: Vlachodimos; Baldock, Mavropanos, Retsos, Tsimikas; Bakasetas, Bouchalakis, Pelkas; Konstantelias, Giakoumakis, Masouras.
France: Samba; Kounde, Saliba, Disasi, L. Hernandez; Fofana, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Kolo Muani. 

Stadium

The clash will take place in Athens at the OPAP Arena.

Greece

The Greek national team is progressing after several years in crisis, and the team's hopes of participating in the EURO flickered until the final tour. Last month, after their victory in Ireland (0:2), the Sky Blues lost at home to the Dutch (0:1), falling three points behind the "Tulips" and no longer in a position to overtake their rival. At the weekend, the Greeks, quite expectedly, defeated New Zealand (2:0) in a friendly match. First, the Southerners took the lead through Giannis Konstantelias, and then Georgios Giakoumakis doubled the favourite's advantage shortly before the half-hour mark. Nevertheless, Greece will try its luck in the Nations League playoffs and will attempt to end a 12-year absence from the main continental tournament.

France

The French national team will certainly head to Germany in June as one of the favourites for the Euro, having easily secured their ticket last month. With no real competition in group B, Les Tricolores have won all seven group matches, including September's Irish (2:0) and Dutch (1:2) encounters, conceding just one goal in the process. The only "fly in the ointment" was the 2:1 loss in a friendly against the Germans last September. However, on Saturday evening Didier Deschamps's charges delighted football fans by thrashing Gibraltar (14:0). This victory became the biggest in the history of the French team and secured them a top seed spot in the EURO draw. With a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe, doubles from Kingsley Coman and Olivier Giroud, a debut goal from Zahir-Emery and a precise strike from Jonathan Ikone, they were the heroes of the French that evening.

The guests cannot rely on a number of key players due to injury, including Benjamin Pavard (Inter, five goals), young central midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni (Real, three goals), as well as defender Konate (Liverpool) and midfielder Camavinga. Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Koundé (Barcelona), Upamecano (Bayern), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Clauss and Rabiot (Juventus) are all still available. Giroud (Milan, 127 matches, 54 goals) and Kylian Mbappe (73 matches, 43 goals) will vie for the attacking spearhead, while Kingsley Coman (Bayern, 54 matches, 7 goals) and Dembele (PSG, 41 matches, 6 goals) will operate on the flanks. Assisting them from deep will be Antoine Griezmann (Atletico, 126 matches, 44 goals).

Head-to-Head

The Greeks' sole victory to date over the French came in the quarterfinals of Euro 2004, and in June of this year Les Tricolores prevailed 1:0.

Match Prediction for Greece vs France

An extra day of recovery after the strains of a friendly match speaks in favour for Gustavo Poyet's charges. However, the absence due to injury of two experienced midfielders - Kourbelis and Mantalo - is hardly going to strengthen the hosts. The French on a high after their Gibraltar rout, will try to end the campaign with their eighth win in eight rounds, and I'm backing this outcome.

Prediction for Total

What can't be expected in Athens is plentiful goals. The fact is that the French scored only six goals in three away games, whereas the Greeks only conceded twice at home. My prediction is total under 3.

Prediction for Corners 

The Greeks, backed by home support, will have to create a couple of dangerous attacks, so my wager would be on an individual total over 3.5 corners for the Sky Blues.

Prediction for Yellow Cards

The Greeks average three yellow cards per qualifier, and against the speed of the French, the hosts will have to commit numerous fouls again.

Score Prediction

I'll back a final score of 0:1 in favour of Team France.