Norway vs France Predictions
Both nations boast plenty of attacking firepower, and with top spot on the line, I expect a fascinating Group I contest.
BTTS is my best bet, while we could see at least three goals scored in Boston.
Goals on the Menu
- France have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 matches
- France have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 11 matches
- Norway have seen BTTS in 8 of their last 9 matches
- Norway have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 8 matches
France and Norway Level in Recent H2H Record
Norway and France have met on two previous occasions since 2010. France eased to a 4-0 win in a friendly fixture in their most recent encounter 12 years ago.
Norway Edge Senegal Thriller
Norway arrive in Boston in confident mood after a dramatic 3-2 win against Senegal in their second Group I fixture. Erling Haaland maintained his remarkable international form with a brace, taking his tally for the competition to four.
Incredibly, the Man City forward has now scored 59 goals in just 52 international appearances.
Stale Solbakken's side were deserved winners in one of the games of the tournament at MetLife Stadium. Despite registering fewer shots (13 to 16), Norway edged the xG totals (2.20 to 1.72).
The Scandinavians have impressed at the finals, with a 4-1 win against Iraq on matchday one, setting them up to secure qualification with a game to spare.
Usually a reliable choice to get on the scoresheet, Norway have scored at least one goal in all but one of their last 21 matches. Thirteen of those games finished with both teams on the scoresheet.
France Maintain Perfect Start
France secured their place in the World Cup round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 win against Iraq last time out. Kylian Mbappe scored twice while Ousmane Dembele scored his first-ever goal at an international tournament.
After a tight first half and a two-hour storm delay, France picked up the pace after the lengthy interval. Les Bleus registered 12 second-half efforts and an xG of 2.44.
Deschamps's side had struggled to break Iraq down in the first period, with seven shots producing an xG of just 0.23.
The pre-tournament favourites had already opened their Group I campaign with a 3-1 victory against Senegal. The in-form Mbappe has bagged braces in both wins.
World champions in 1998 and 2018, France seem to have found their best form this year. Deschamps' men won 11 and lost just 1 of their last 13 matches. An average of 3.3 goals were scored in those fixtures.
Squads and Team News
Norway Squad
Goalkeepers: Orjan Nyland, Sander Tangvik, Egil Selvik
Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Leo Ostigard, David Moller Wolfe, Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Torbjorn Heggem, Sondre Langas, Henrik Falchener, Julian Ryerson
Midfielders: Morten Thorsby, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Kristian Thorstvedt, Thelo Aasgaard, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb, Jens Petter Hauge
Forwards: Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen
Norway have a few injury worries for their final Group I contest. Julian Ryerson (thigh), Marcus Pedersen (muscle) and Torbjorn Heggem (muscle) are all doubtful, leaving Stale Solbakken with potential selection issues in defence.
Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line once again as he looks to add to his four-goal haul.
France Squad
Goalkeepers: Brice Samba, Mike Maignan, Robin Risser
Defenders: Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix
Midfielders: Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta
France have no major injury concerns ahead of Thursday's fixture. Kylian Mbappe will continue to spearhead the French attack, while Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise are expected to provide support in the final third.
Head coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side's final World Cup group match against Norway after returning home following the death of his mother. Assistant Guy Stephan will lead the French selection this weekend.
Deschamps picked out Ousmane Dembele for praise after the PSG forward broke his goal drought at major tournaments.
“Maybe now you (journalists) will get off his case now and find another target,” France's head coach remarked after the match.
“There haven't been any issues with him, he's just adapting to a system he's not used to playing in during the rest of the year. Once he's in good form physically, it's only a matter of making adjustments.”