FRANCE have made a dismal start to the Nations League campaign and sit bottom of Group A1 as Austria pitch up at the Stade de France.
The world champions looked clear favourites to top a section that also included Croatia and Denmark but instead they prop it up after collecting just two points from four games.
A place at the Nations League finals, a tournament the French won in the last campaign, is already out of reach with the Danes seven points ahead and just two matches left to play.
So it's a question of avoiding relegation to League B for the French, with the Austrians two points above them heading into this clash.
Deschamps will be desperate for a vastly improved performance as his side gear up for the defence of the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
But they could only manage a draw in Vienna back in June and the Austrians have seen an improvement in performances and results since Ralf Rangnick took over from Franco Foda.
Austria got off to a flier in the group by battering Croatia 3-0 on the road and although they haven't won since then, there is enough talent in their squad to cause France problem if Deschamps' men turn in another poor display.
How the bookies view it
Despite their rotten form so far in the Nations League, the French are hot favourites for this one at a best 3/8 with Betway. Austria are outsiders at 42/5 with SBK and the draw pays 43/10 at VBet.
Head to head
These nations have met just nine times in competitive matches and it's France who hold the edge with five wins. Austria have beaten them twice with the other two games ending level, including that 1-1 Vienna stalemate last time out. All three matches on French soil have ended in victories for Les Bleus.
Players to watch
Our man Gabriel flagged up Karim Benzema for a goal when these sides last met but instead it was Kylian Mbappe who was on target for the French. He's the man in form, having netted 10 times in nine games this term, but might not be a popular man in the squad after snubbing a team photo shoot due to an ongoing row over image rights.
Mbappe is just 5/6 with Bet365 for anytime scorer but the odds increase to 3/1 if you back the PSG superstar to break the deadlock.
Michael Gregoritsch's form for Freiburg should see him get the nod up front for Austria, with the hitman netting five times in nine games this season. He scored in the win over Croatia and is 9/2 with Bet365 for a Paris strike.
Anything else catch the eye?
Austria drew a blank when they faced Denmark last time out in the Nations League and you'd have to imagine France will eventually come out of their slumber. So I fancy the home win to nil here and it pays a best 5/4 with BetVictor. If you just want to back a French clean sheet, that pays 20/21 with McBookie.
The Austrians picked up four yellows when they drew with France in Vienna and more could follow in the return. Salzburg midfielder Nicolas Seiwald was one of those carded that night and he's 7/2 with Bet365 to collect another here.
That match earlier in the group also produced 13 corners, with 10 of them going to France. So I like the look of over nine corners at 6/5 with Bet365 while France -3 looks even better value in the handicap at the same price.
This UEFA Nations League match between France and Austria will be played on Sep 22, 2022 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best France vs Austria prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
