France Euro 2021 Tips and Betting Odds

Welcome to BettingOdds.com's Euro 2021 profile series, where we'll be counting down to next summer's tournament with an in-depth look at the betting opportunities for each of the countries involved.

After enjoying a memorable few years at major international tournaments, France will head into next summer's European Championships full of confidence in their ability to win the tournament. Les Bleus are regular features in the final stages of both the Euro's and the World Cup, winning the latter in 2018 after defeating Croatia in the final. 

They came to within touching distance of winning their first European Championship since 2000 four years ago but were beaten by Portugal in extra-time thanks to a long-range strike from Eder. 

Author's Opinion

I’ve been touting France to follow up from their success in 2018 with back to back major tournaments in for what feels like a lifetime. In Kylian Mbappe I believe they have the best striker at the tournament and their experience of going to the final in both 2016 and 2018 should put them in good stead. 

Their squad oozes talent and with Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba N'Golo Kane and Kylian Mbappe. I can see France going off favourites for the tournament and I think their group, which includes Germany and Portugal, is giving punters a slightly inflated price. I’d not be worried by their opponents in the group phase and it’s also worth remembering that four of the best performing ‘third-placed’ sides will also advance to the last 16.

Confirmed France squad for Euro 2021

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Mike Maignan

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimbembe, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard, Leo Dubois, Kurt Zouma, Clement Lenglet, Lucas Digne, Jules Kounde

Midfielders: Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Corentin Tolisso, Moussa Sissoko

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram, Wissam Ben Yedder

Top Three Scorers & Shot-Takers This Season - Club & Country Combined 

Kylian Mbappe, PSG

• Goals: 44
• Shots per game: 3.1
• Shots on target per game: 1.6

Antoine Griezmann, Barcelona

• Goals: 25 
• Shots per game: 2.0
• Shots on target per game: 0.9

Oliver Giroud, Chelsea

• Goals: 14
• Shots per game: 1.8
• Shots on target per game: 0.9

Top Three Most Carded This Season - Club & Country Combined 

N’Golo Kante, Chelsea

• Yellow Cards: 10
• Red Cards: 0
• Fouls per game: 1.3

Adrien Rabiot, Juventus

• Yellow cards: 8
• Red Cards: 1
• Fouls per game: 1.3

Paul Pogba, Manchester United

• Yellow cards: 10
• Red Cards: 0
• Fouls per game: 1.3

Top Three Key Players

Kylian Mbappe, PSG

One of the most exciting players in world football, still just at the age of 22, Kylian Mbappe is one of the stars who fans will be looking forward to seeing the most at the European Championships. The Paris Saint-Germain star is the favourite with most bookmakers to be crowned the player of the tournament and is also third in the betting behind Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane to be top goalscorer. With an average of 4.1 shots per game and six goals in seven appearances in this season’s Champions League there’s plenty to get excited about this summer when it comes to this young man. 

Paul Pogba, Manchester United

Another World Cup winner with this squad back in 2018 was Paul Pogba, a player who often steps up when playing for his country. We’ve been impressed with the 28-year-old this season and a player we know who loves the big stage and the camera’s being on him, he could well come alive at this summer’s tournament. Pogba’s presence and leadership qualities in the middle of the park could be paramount to the success of this team.

Antonie Griezmann

With 87 caps and 34 goals to his name, Antonie Griezmann is now one of the senior members of the French squad. The 30-year-old has scored 17 goals for club and country so far this season and is 20/1 with most bookmakers to be the top scorer at the tournament. Despite having plenty of names in front of him in the top scorer market, Griezmann is actually the third shortest price in the player of the tournament market, at 14/1 with Paddy Power. 

Young Gun

In March France did not name any player under the age of 22 in their squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Kylian Mbappe remained the youngest member of the squad with 40 caps and 16 goals. As a result France have no players available in BetVictor’s ‘Young Player of the Tournament’ market. After his hat-trick at the Nou Camp in the Champions League it’s easy to forget how young Mbappe is and we cannot wait to see him in action across the continent for Les Bleus. 

France’s Outright Odds at Euro 2021

The French have twice tasted success at the European Championships, back in 1960 and most recently in 2000 under Roger Lemerre.

This summer France have the opportunity to follow up their World Cup triumph back in 2018 and are priced as 5/1 joint-favourites with several bookmakers. That’s an implied probability of 16.7% that they will lift the trophy.

France’s Group Odds at Euro 2021

France have been handed the trickiest group at the tournament and will face Germany, Portugal and Hungary. Deschamps’ side are 7/5 joint-favourites to top the group and are just 1/10 to qualify for the last-16.

The Gaffer

The manager of the French national side is Didier Deschamps who was appointed in 2012. Since then he has been to both the final of the European Championships in 2016 and has won the World Cup. His win percentage of 65.1% is the highest of any manager to have taken control of the national side for over two years. 

International honours

• European Championship runner-up: 2016
• World Cup Winner: 2018

France’s record at the World Cup & Euros - Last 25 years

• 2018 World Cup, winners
• 2016 Euros, runner-up
• 2014 World Cup, quarter-finals
• 2012 Euros, quarter-finals
• 2010 World Cup, group stage
• 2008 Euros, group stage
• 2006 World Cup, runners-up
• 2004 Euros, quarter-finals
• 2002 World Cup, group stage
• 2000 Euros, winner
• 1998 World Cup, winners
• 1996 Euros, third place