France vs. Poland Betting Tips: Mbappe to bag another brace in the last-16
France face Poland in the first of the round of 16 matches at the World Cup in Qatar and our man @JimmyThePunt is on hand with a preview for the game along with his best bets
Didier Deschamps' side boasted a 100% record from their opening two games, securing qualification allowing the supremo to shuffle his deck ahead of their last group game with one eye on this knock-out game.
This meant Les Bleus' big hitters, the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud, were benched for the loss against Tunisia but all three will definitely return to the starting XI for their meeting with Poland, barring any injuries.
Nine changes were made for that clash with the North Africans, Raphaël Varane and Aurélien Tchouaméni were the only two that played the previous game. We should see Deschamps revert back to the side that secured qualification here.
Poland only just made it out of their group, having a wasteful Mexico to thank. El Tri only managed two goals against Saudi Arabia, and I say only because the Mexican racked up 26 shots, 10 on target, and generated an xG of 3.05!
The Poles were slow and laborious. Their boss, Czesław Michniewicz, set up his side to contain and counter, though they did not do much of the latter as Robert Lewendowksi was often left isolated upfront.
Poland failed to register a single shot on target, generating 0.32 xG, which does not bode well for their next fixture.
France vs Poland Tips
I think this meeting with France spells the end of Poland’s WC campaign, however, the question is, how do you squeeze some value out of the odds on favourites here?
Les Bleus have a 77% chance of winning inside the 90 minutes, according to their 4/13 odds. Combining them to win to nil looks the play. It is worth pointing out that France have conceded in each of their three games so far, however, this angle is more about their blunt opponents.
Poland's most recent game with Argentina was both a great example of their limitations and a glimpse of what to expect for this clash with France as the South American’s and Les Bleus are two teams of a similar ilk.
The Red and Whites goal lived a charmed life against La Albiceleste, with Lionel Scaloni’s side generating an xG of 3.72 from 23 shots and missing six big chances.
It is a mystery as to how Poland lost by just two goals. What became very apparent was that against the better nations, they offer frightfully little going forward, even with the firepower of one of the greatest strikers on the planet.
And this is why backing the French to win to nil appeals here.
Much to his disgruntlement, Kylian Mbappe was rested against Tunisia, so will be raring to go and add to his tally of three goals as he chases down the golden boot.
At 5/1, PSG’s frontman is simply too big to hit the double against this leaky Poland side.
Mbappe has bagged a brace, or more, on 62 occasions in a career that spans 355 appearances for club and country. That means he has scored multiple goals in 0.21 of the 90 minutes he has completed.
Directly translated to a price, that makes the 5/1 about him here a point too large and that is without considering the calibre of opposition.
Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.
Did you know that bet365 pay your team out as a winner if they go 2 goals ahead at any time in the match (available on over 80 leagues and competitions, T&C's apply). Find out more on our bet365 offers page.
