France will be aiming to strengthen their bid for top spot in UEFA Nations League Group A2 when they host Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday evening.
In the reverse fixture last month, France cruised to a 4-1 win in Budapest, with goals from Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku, Matteo Guendouzi, and Bradley Barcola.
Since their disappointing 3-1 loss to Italy in their opening Nations League match, France have been in impressive form, winning all three of their subsequent group games. That includes the aforementioned 4-1 victory over Israel, as well as two wins against Belgium.
Randal Kolo Muani has been a key figure in France’s recent success, scoring in both their 2-0 win over Belgium in September and their 2-1 victory in Belgium last month. France held on for all three points despite being reduced to 10 men for the final 14 minutes plus stoppage time.
Currently ranked second in the world by FIFA, France sit second in League A Group 2, just one point behind leaders Italy, whom they will face in a crucial final match in Milan on Sunday.
A draw against Israel on Thursday would guarantee France’s spot in the Nations League quarter-finals, provided Belgium fail to beat Italy. However, if Belgium does win and France falters, they could still find themselves at risk of relegation playoffs.
France head into Thursday’s game with a strong record against Israel, having not lost in their previous seven meetings in all competitions. However, they've only won two of their four previous home encounters with Israel, with their last match at the Stade de France ending in a goalless draw in a World Cup qualifier in September 2004.
Off the pitch, Israel’s preparations for Thursday’s match have been overshadowed by the tragic events in Amsterdam last week, where violence erupted between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv supporters, amid rising tensions related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This led to concerns about whether Israel’s trip to France would go ahead. The Israeli government has advised citizens to avoid public events in Europe, including sporting fixtures, due to safety concerns. However, the game is scheduled to take place, with additional police presence in Paris and French President Emmanuel Macron attending as a show of solidarity.
On the field, Israel’s Nations League campaign has been a difficult one. They have lost all four of their matches so far, leaving them bottom of the group with little hope of survival.
Their only chance of avoiding relegation to League B is to win their remaining two matches—starting with a victory over France on Thursday—and then somehow prevail in the relegation playoffs.
Ranked 81st in the world by FIFA, Israel has struggled against the stronger teams in their group—Italy, France, and Belgium—but they will look to their history for inspiration. Their only previous win in France came in World Cup qualifying in October 1993, when they defeated Les Bleus 3-2 with Didier Deschamps playing in midfield for France.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
France head coach Didier Deschamps has once again left out Kylian Mbappé from his squad, explaining that his absence is "for the best." Meanwhile, several key players are unavailable due to injury, including Wesley Fofana, Loïc Badé, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is also suspended following his red card against Belgium.
There is a debut call-up for highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, although he's not expected to replace Mike Maignan in goal. In midfield, N'Golo Kanté and Adrien Rabiot have both returned to the squad, and one of them could partner Eduardo Camavinga in the center of the park.
In Mbappé’s absence, Randal Kolo Muani, who has scored four goals in his last four appearances for France, is likely to start as the central striker. Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola could all be options to provide support in attack.
For Israel, there are a few absences to note. Dor Turgeman has been ruled out due to injury, and goalkeeper Omri Glazer is also missing. However, captain Eli Dasa returns after a spell on the sidelines and will be aiming for a starting spot, either at right-back or center-back.
Manor Solomon is also back from injury, but it’s unclear whether the Tottenham winger, currently on loan at Leeds United, will be thrown straight into the starting XI. He may face competition from Oscar Gloukh or Omri Gandelman, who scored against France in the reverse fixture.
With Glazer unavailable, either Yoav Gerafi or Bayern Munich’s Daniel Peretz is set to start in goal. In midfield, Dor Peretz, Gavriel Kanichowsky, Mohammad Abu Fani, and Mahmoud Jaber will all be fighting for a place in the starting lineup.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Camavinga; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Kolo Muani
Israel possible starting lineup:
Peretz; Dasa, Feingold, Nachimas; Abada, Kanichowsky, Abu Fani, Haziza; Gloukh, Gandelman; Baribo
EXPERT PREDICTION
France 3-1 Israel
With France in strong form and Israel struggling in every game, it’s hard to see anything other than a French victory on Thursday. A dominant win could push France closer to securing top spot in the group ahead of their final showdown with Italy.
