Ireland vs France: Euro 2024 Qualifiers Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Kylian Mbappe and co. will resume their UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers campaign during Republic of Ireland vs France, after Les Blue thrashed the Netherland in the last game.

Match Details:

• Location: Dublin, Ireland
• Stadium: Aviva Stadium
• Date: Monday 27 March
• Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST / 15:45 ET / 11:45 PT
• Referee: Artur Dias (POR)
• VAR: Tiago Martins (POR)

Ireland vs France: Match Preview:

The hosts are heading into this encounter on the back of a 3-2 win over Latvia in a friendly. Ireland had a decent outing against Latvia as they looked to prepare for their qualifying opener against Les Bleus.

Their last official fixture was in the Nations League against Armenia back in September 2022. And, they are heading into this match against France on the back of two consecutive wins and will try their best to make it three. However, it looks unlikely given the quality of the opposition.

As far as France are concerned they are heading into this fixture after thrashing the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening fixture of the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers. Les Bleus were clinical on the night and their new skipper Kylian Mbappe led from the front.

Didier Deschamps analyses France's new Ibrahima Konaté-Dayot Upamecano centre-back pairing:

"There's always room for improvement."https://t.co/Vyr4vQs3pH

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 26, 2023

The Paris Saint-Germain star was awarded his nation's captaincy after their former captain Hugo Lloris announced retirement. Didier Deschamps gave the captain band to the 24-year-old on the back of his heroics in the FIFA World Cup 2022. And, he started his captaincy era with a 4-0 win where he found the back of the net twice.

France have already occupied the top spot in Group B and they will be in no mood to let it slip.

Team News:

Ireland:

Right-back Seamus Coleman has been out with an injury but is thought to be in with a shout of returning for this one, albeit probably from the bench.

Kylian Mbappé says France will need to be "wary" of Ireland's Evan Ferguson:

"He's a very good striker."https://t.co/Cdvyrvm3Cf

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 26, 2023

France:

There are no fitness concerns for Didier Deschamps, who lost both William Saliba and Wesley Fofana to injuries before the break began.

Expect Les Bleus to go strong once again, but there should be plenty of minutes for fringe players later on.

Ireland vs France: Head to Head :

The Republic have not beaten Les Bleus since a 3-2 win in qualification for the 1982 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé on being 3 short of Michel Platini's tally of 41 goals for France:

"It's an honour, but it's also the next target to bring down."https://t.co/GAl6abf7cZ

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 26, 2023

The French have won total 8 games while Ireland has won 4. There were 5 draws in total.

Predicted Line-ups:

Republic of Ireland predicted lineup (3-5-2): Bazunu; Egan, Collins, O'Shea; Doherty, Cullen, Molumby, Knight, O'Dowda; Ferguson, Obafemi

France predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Pavard, Konate, Upamecano, Theo; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Kolo Muani

IRE vs FRA: Fantasy XI:

Maignan; Pavard, Konate, Upamecano, Knight, O'Dowda, Doherty, Griezmann, Mbappe; Kolo Muani, Ferguson.