World Cup 2022 France vs Australia, Tips & Predictions

The current World Cup holders, France, will get their title defense started on November 22nd at 9:00pm local time when they open the group stage with a match against Australia. France has been having a rough go of it in the lead up to this World Cup, with everything from injuries to extortion to player image rights fights plaguing the team. Even with those issues, however, France is still a very heavy favourite (and rightfully so) at 1.21.

• The two nations have played 5 times total, with France winning three, losing one, and drawing one.
• France trend – After struggling to just 2 points in 4 games during their June Nations League run, they bounced back nicely in September, putting together a solid 2-0 win over Austria.
• Australia trend – The Aussies are no. 35 on the FIFA rankings, their highest ranking in over a decade.
• Kylian Mbappe has been having off the field issues with the French Football Federation, but he’s still got 7 goals in 8 games for PSG this season, good for 2nd in Ligue 1.

France

If there was any squad that could weather the perfect storm that has been afflicting the French Football Federation this year (player image rights issues, player off the field issues, injuries), it’s Dider Deschamps’ group. They’re so deep that they could plausibly field two World Cup worthy squads, but recent results suggest that the worst of the storm has passed, which means the sun could be shining on the current World Cup holders come November.

Key Players: Kylian Mbappe (5th in FFF history with 0.48 goals per cap), Hugo Lloris (7 Clean sheets in 14 World Cup Games), Antoine Griezmann (Scored 4 times in the 2018 World Cup).

Team News: Kylian Mbappe recently settled a dispute with the FFF over player image rights; Paul Pogba won't return from a meniscus injury in time for the World Cup, and Karim Benzema has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

Predicted Lineups: 3-4-1-2 – GK: Hugo Lloris DF: Raphael Varane, Jules Kounde, Benoit Badiashile MF: Ferland Mendy, Youssof Fofana, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jonathan Clauss FW: Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe

Australia

The Socceroos will be licking their chops with all of the drama surrounding France over the summer and fall, but even with that going their way it’s a big ask for them to even put in a decent performance against Les Bleus. Graham Arnold has been talking about a Round of 16 berth, but with France and Euro 2020 semi-finalist Denmark in their group, just earning their first World Cup win since 2010 might be a more reasonable goal, and one they’ll have their best chance to achieve against Tunisia, not France.

Key Players: Mathew Ryan (captain, 24 clean sheets in 74 caps), Awer Mabil (scored 2 of Australia’s 5 total goals since June 1st)

Team News: No recent news.

Predicted Lineups: Lineup for most recent official friendly: 4-3-3 – GK: Mathew Ryan DF: Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Trent Sainsbury, Fran Karacic MF: Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Aaron Mooy FW: Martin Boyle, Adam Taggart, Awer Mabil