France vs Australia: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview and Dream11 Predictions

France vs Australia on Tuesday evening is a rematch of their opening group-stage game at the 2018 World Cup.

Match Details:

• Location: Al Wakrah, Qatar
• Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
• Date: Tuesday 23 November
• Kick-off Time: 12:30 AM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD, Jio Cinema App

France vs Australia: Match Preview:

France will begin their World Cup title defense with a matchup against intercontinental qualifiers Australia in Qatar.

Les Bleus are dealing with a host of key injuries including the absence of Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. They have struggled in recent UEFA Nations League play, but still boast a supremely talented squad on paper.

Star forward Kylian Mbappe is a rising talent in the game, already one of the very best attackers in the world at 23 years old. He won Best Young Player at the 2018 World Cup, helping surge France to victory as a teenager.

Australia couldn't muster a single win in Russia and haven't claimed a World Cup win since 2010.

Team News:

France:

Karim Benzema suffered an injury in his first training session since arriving in Qatar, thought to be a torn thigh muscle, and is set to miss the whole tournament.

Didier Deschamps had already been forced into a couple of sharp squad reshuffles following late injuries to RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku and PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe. Randal Kolo Muani and Axel Disasi have replaced the duo.

Marcus Thuram was another delayed addition after Deschamps initially named just 25 players. The son of a World Cup winner has been struggling with illness ahead of the opener.

Deschamps was keen to stress that France "are not going to cut corners" when it comes to Raphael Varane's rehabilitation from a knee problem he suffered in October. But the Manchester United centre-back is expected to be available against Australia.

Australia:

The chief concern for Australia's coach Graham Arnold is unquestionably Hibernian winger Martin Boyle. A knee injury has prevented the Scottish-born forward from training.

The fitness concern is deemed to be severe enough for Melbourne City's Marco Tilio to join the group in Doha as a standby option should Boyle lose his race against time.

France vs Australia: Head to Head:

France have a good record against Australia and have won three of the five matches played between the two sides, with the Socceroos securing only one victory.

The two teams clashed in the 2018 edition of the competition, with France securing a narrow 2-1 victory on the day.

Australia secured their only victory against France in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001, with Clayton Zane scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

Predicted Line-ups:

France Starting 11 (4-3-1-2): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Konate, L Hernandez; Tchouameni, Y Fofana, Rabiot; Griezmann; Giroud, Mbappe.

Bench: Mandanda, Areola, Disasi, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T Hernandez, Guendouzi, Veretout, Camavinga, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Coman, Thuram.

Australia Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy, Irvine; Leckie, Hrustic, Mabil; Maclaren.

Bench: Redmayne, Vukovic, Degenek, Karacic, Wright, Deng, King, McGree, Devlin, Baccus, Duke, Kuol, Goodwin, Cummings.

FRA vs AUS: Dream11 Prediction:

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