We’re set for one of the ties of the group stages on Friday, as one of the pre-tournament favourites France take on Netherlands at Euro 2024 with plenty on the line in Group D.
The major talking point will be around the fitness of Kylian Mbappe after his broken nose suffered against Austria, and that could be decisive in a game between two strong sides.
We’ve looked at some of the best football betting offers, odds and markets from our range of football betting sites to provide you with Netherlands v France betting tips.
Netherlands v France Betting Tips
Netherlands v France Odds
- Netherlands to win odds - 11/5
- Draw odds - 23/10
- France to win odds - 13/10
Odds courtesy of Betfred, correct at the time of publication
Netherlands v France Match Preview
The main talking point in the build-up to the game will be around Mbappe’s fitness after he was forced off against Austria with what looked to be a badly broken nose following an ugly clash.
He has returned to training - away from his teammates - and will almost certainly appear in a mask at a later stage of the tournament, but the short turnaround from Monday to Friday means this game against the Netherlands is likely to come too soon for him, leaving France short of their talisman in what should be the biggest game of their group stage.
They were less-than-convincing in the 1-0 win over Austria anyway, but without Mbappe the Dutch will have a little bit less to fear and having already picked up a win over Poland themselves, a positive result here could spell problems for France down the line should they progress to the knockouts.
The opening wins didn’t tell us much about either side. France were uninspiring - as they can be under Didier Deschamps - but will be confident of growing into the tournament, though I think there are still some question marks over their midfield, while the Netherlands needed a late Wout Weghorst goal to beat Poland in a game they otherwise dominated.
In terms of what to expect though, we do have some very recent evidence to go by with the two sides in the same qualifying group, with France winning 4-0 and 2-1.
Of the six goals scored, Mbappe scored four of them though so that just contributes further to this game being a really hard one to call in my opinion, and I don’t think there is much to split the two sides.
All Square
There is no doubt that France go into the game as favourites. With their squad and recent history, they are one of the best sides in this tournament but I can’t shake the feeling that everything is built around Mbappe and with him absent, Olivier Giroud is going to have a tough time against Virgil van Dijk and I’m finding it hard to see how France come out comfortable winners.
They may still have enough to get past the Dutch, but Ronald Koeman’s side have a bit about them themselves and some very good players, so they should push France closer than Austria did and that’s why I’m going to back a draw at 12/5 with bet365 for this one.
I think the fact that it’s the second game of the groups and a point is likely to be enough for both sides to progress, both managers would probably settle for that and avoid risking a defeat at this stage.
Griez the Mann
With Mbappe out, the spotlight will undoubtedly fall on Antoine Griezmann to provide the main threat for France, and that’s a role he is very comfortable with.
He wasn’t at his best in the win over Austria but still created the most chances in the game, and if Giroud returns to the starting XI he has shown in the past that that can be the secret to getting the most out of the playmaker in Griezmann. He will be on set pieces and integral to everything France do.
So I expect him to get an assist in this game, and I’m adding that to a small bet builder that will see both teams score as well, which gives me 13/2 with bet365. I’ll take that, as I’m finding this game pretty hard to call but it should be a good game to watch.
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