UEFA Nations League reigning champions France will continue the defence of their title this Thursday when they welcome Austria to Stade de France.
Venue: Stade de France (Paris – Saint-Denis)
Key Statistics
France are winless in their last four games.
They have not kept a clean sheet in their last four games.
The hosts have not scored more than one goal in their last four games.
Austria have kept one clean sheet from their last nine games.
They have never drawn a UNL away game (W5, L2).
Head to head
France have but wins from the last nine internationals against Austria (D2, L1).
Latest performances in all competitions
France: L-D-D-L-W
Austria: L-D-L-W-D
France
France will look to get their first win of the UEFA Nations League campaign when they welcome Austria to Paris this Thursday.
The current World Cup and UEFA Nations League holders have endured a terrible start to their UNL campaign, with just two points to show after four games (D2, L2).
And so, just a year on from beating Spain to the Nations League title they come into this tie in danger of being relegated from the UEFA Nations League (UNL) group A1. Should they lose this game, Didier Deschamps ‘ side who are already out of contention to reach the finals will drop a level down.
Deschamps appears to have some major problems to solve as he tries to get his side back to winning ways ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. In an effort to do just that, the World Cup-winning coach has called up three new faces to the French national team.
The last thing Led Blues need is to enter the winter’s showpiece event on low morale, but six wins from the last nine internationals against Austria (D2, L1) could indicate a potential French revival here.
Possible France starting line-up
Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Presnel Kimpembe, William Saliba; Benjamin Pavard, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelie Tchoumeni, Theo Hernandez; Moussa Diaby, Christopher Nkunku, Kylian Mbappe.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Karim Benzema
Suspended: None
Austria
Three months after opening their Nations League campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Croatia away from home, Austria are still looking for another win.
The visitors began life under Ralf Rangnick with a bang when they secured a 3-0 win over Croatia in their first game of this UNL campaign. However, that win has since been followed by two losses and a draw, leaving them sitting third on their table.
And so, this game takes on added importance for them, as they are realistically the only team France can catch in their bid to avoid relegation. The visitors need just a point from a home clash with an already safe Denmark to secure their place in the top league next term.
But things can be better even as they would still be in contention for a finals spot going into their final group game if they get a win in this game and Croatia beat Denmark.
With no World Cup appearance on the horizon after being knocked out in the play-off round by Wales (2-1), Das Team can afford to put all their eggs into the UNL basket and get a win in this game.
Possible Austria starting line-up
Patrick Pentz; Stefan Lainer, Gernot Trauner, David Alaba, Maximilian Woeber; Konrad Laimer, Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Marcel Sabitzer; Andreas Weimann, Marko Arnautovic.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
France 1-1 Austria
