Improving Austria aims to upset an elite French team
France will aim to make a winning start to its Euro 2024 campaign when it faces Austria in Düsseldorf on Monday. Les Bleus are the heavy favorites to win this game, but they cannot afford to be complacent against a well-drilled Austrian team. The Austrians are up to No. 25 in the FIFA world rankings after embarking on a six-game winning streak ahead of this contest.
These teams landed in the same UEFA Nations League group back in 2022. Austria battled to a surprise 1-1 draw with France in Vienna, but France then beat the Austrians 2-0 in Paris a few months later, courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud. It could lead to an interesting betting option at Euro sportsbooks when the two teams meet on neutral turf in Germany.
Austria might have to win the midfield battle
Austria’s greatest strength lies in midfield. Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer, RB Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner, and Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer are technically gifted, diligent players. They will be undaunted by the prospect of facing the French midfield, which is no longer as formidable as it was a few years ago.
However, France is still likely to dominate possession, so Austria will need to be quick on the counterattack and clinical in front of goal if it is to win this game. Michael Gregoritsch is a dangerous striker, and he fired in a hat trick in a recent 6-1 friendly win against Turkey.
France’s path to victory likely centers around Mbappé
Mbappé was just 19 years old when he inspired the French soccer team to victory in the 2018 World Cup. He is now 25, and he is approaching the peak of his powers. Mbappé will move from PSG to Real Madrid this summer, but first he will attempt to secure more silverware for his country.
He is now France’s captain, and he will be their primary outlet in attack at this tournament. Mbappé has scored 47 goals in 78 appearances for his country, and he has the pace and flair to cause plenty of problems for Austria’s defense. If France can get him one-on-one with the Austrian right-back, he can win this game for Les Bleus.
Austria vs. France odds & lines
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Austria vs. France player props
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Austria expected starting 11
First-choice goalkeeper Alexander Schlager has sustained a knee injury, so Patrick Pentz could start in goal. Stefan Posch, Maximilian Wöber, Philipp Lienhart, and Phillipp Mwene could form the back four, although Kevin Danso and Stefan Lainer will also hope to start.
Ralf Rangnick, Team Austria’s manager, typically favors a relatively narrow 4-2-3-1 formation. We could see Nicolas Seiwald and Florian Grillitsch at the base of the midfield, which would allow Sabitzer, Baumgartner, and Laimer to play higher up the pitch. Gregoritsch is likely to get the nod ahead of veteran striker Marko Arnautović up front.
France expected starting 11
Mike Maignan is France’s first-choice goalkeeper. Jules Koundé appears likely to start at right-back. Left-back Lucas Hernández is injured, so Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid could take his place. Media speculation suggests that manager Didier Deschamps could pair Dayot Upamecano with Ibrahima Konaté at the heart of the defense, although that could mean William Saliba and Benjamin Pavard would miss out.
Real Madrid duo Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could start in midfield, but Adrien Rabiot and Warren Zaïre-Emery are also in contention. We could see Antoine Griezmann pulling the strings in the No. 10 role, with Mbappé on the left, Ousmane Dembélé on the right, and either Giroud or Randal Kolo Muani spearheading the attack.