Will the Équipe Tricolore find its form just before the World Cup?
After nine consecutive international matches without a loss (eight wins, one draw), however, they suffered a sobering 1-2 defeat in their most recent friendly against Ivory Coast. If the Équipe Tricolore fails to secure a win against Northern Ireland as well, it would significantly dampen the World Cup euphoria in the camp of the reigning World Cup runners-up.
However, the Green and White Army is not much of a test. Ranked 70th in the FIFA World Rankings, Northern Ireland did not qualify for the World Cup and are far from possessing the athletic compactness with which the Ivory Coast recently gave Les Bleus a run for their money. Accordingly, there is no alternative to predicting a victory for the Équipe Tricolore in the France vs. Northern Ireland match.
Since a clear response is expected from the French, who will aim to make up for their friendly defeat against the Ivorians with as dominant a performance as possible, we ultimately find the greatest value in betting on France to secure a shutout victory.
After all, under Michael O’Neill, Northern Ireland will field a significantly younger squad that hasn’t played together in this formation very often yet. With the exception of powerhouse striker Josh Magennis, only Jamie Reid is over 30 years old. In fact, 15 of the 23 players named to the squad would still be eligible to play for the U21 team. Despite a 1-0 friendly win against Guinea, we believe Northern Ireland is likely to learn the hard way.
That said, the Northern Ireland national soccer team hasn’t conceded more than two goals in any of its last seven international matches. In fact, they’ve only conceded two goals once—in the March playoff semifinal against Italy (0-2)—and otherwise have conceded no more than one goal per match. Those who don’t rule out Northern Ireland scoring will therefore find good value in the Asian handicap of +2.75 on the Green and White Army, for which the bet365 app lists odds of 1.50 for France vs. Northern Ireland.
France – Northern Ireland Head-to-Head Record
Head-to-Head: 5 – 3 – 0
The two national teams have faced off a total of eight times – including once at a major tournament, when the Équipe Tricolore knocked Northern Ireland out of the 1958 World Cup with a 4-0 victory in the quarterfinals.
In all eight encounters, France remained unbeaten against the Green and White Army, who were also defeated 1–0 in their most recent international clash, a friendly in Belfast in the fall of 1999.
France – Northern Ireland Prediction
Les Bleus are looking to bounce back from their 1-2 loss to Ivory Coast and set the stage for a successful World Cup with a dominant performance, while the traditionally deep-lying and physically robust Northern Irish are also seen, to some extent, as a simulation for World Cup scenarios against nations like Senegal and Iraq.
However, we don’t count out the underdog’s chances of unnerving the Équipe Tricolore simply because the squad is in the midst of a complete overhaul. Fifteen of the 23 nominated players could theoretically play for the U21s and lack both the club-level background and the experience needed to stop a team studded with superstars.
We consider even a single goal by the Green and White Army highly unlikely, which is why, in our assessment, the safest bet is on a French victory without conceding a goal. For the Équipe Tricolore to win their final friendly without conceding a goal, Betano is offering odds of 1.67 on France vs. Northern Ireland, which we’re betting five out of ten units on.
