FRANCE will look to take another step towards retaining their World Cup crown when they come up against Poland at the Al-Thumama Stadium on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps' side were the first team to book their place in the round of 16 after opening their Group D campaign with a pair of back-to-back victories against Australia and Denmark.
That buffer afforded Les Bleus boss Deschamps the luxury of making nine changes to his starting XI in their 1-0 defeat against Tunisia on Wednesday.
However, there was no damage done in that dead rubber for the current holders who will have all their big-guns back for Sunday's showdown with Poland.
Despite going down 2-0 to Argentina in their final group game, Czesław Michniewicz's men prolonged their stay in Qatar after successfully coming through what was one one the most chaotic nights in World Cup history.
At one point, the White and Red were en-route to the round 16 due to having less yellow cards than Mexico, but Saudi Arabia's late strike ensured Poland scraped through to the knockout phase for the first time since 1986.
Outright Betting
After being turned over by Tunisia last time out, France are short-priced 23/100 (Highbet) favourites to return to winning ways this weekend.
Poland have failed to beat France in each of the previous seven meetings between the two nations and the bookies' odds suggest that trend will continue here, with the Poles 21/2 (Highbet) outsiders while the 90 minute draw can be backed at 87/20 (Highbet).
Betting Angles
France are far too short to side with at the above-mentioned price but backing Kylian Mbappe to make the net bulge looks like an eye-catching alternative at 21/20 (Bet 365).
As already alluded to, the reigning world champions had the advantage of naming a much-changed line-up in midweek, so Mbappe and Co should be the fresher of the two sides given Poland's manic midweek match-up.
Not only could the Poles' exertions against Argentina take their toll here, but they should struggle to a tame France team that have failed to score in just three of their last 29 international assignments.
The aforementioned Mbappe was France's chief tormentor during Les Bleus' opening two group games, having notched in a 4-1 victory over Australia before bagging a brace against Denmark, so backing the PSG forward to put Poland to the sword here at an odds-against quote looks like a tempting betting proposition.
What's more, France's megastar will also have his eyes firmly set on scooping the highly sought after prize that is the World Cup Golden Boot, and this fixture could represent a good opportunity for him to retake the lead for that particular prize.
With all this mind, backing Mbappe to get on the scoresheet at 21/20 (Bet 365) against a Poland side that have been pretty underwhelming thus far makes plenty of appeal.
Given that Poland right-back Matt Cash could be given the thankless task of trying to shackle Mbappe, I'll also back the Aston Villa defender to go into the book at 9/2 (Bet 365).
The newly-ratified Polish international – who was carded against Saudi Arabia – is no stranger t0 referees' notebooks and he should have his hands full here given that Mbappe's electric pace is notorious for causing defenders all sorts of problems.
This World Cup match between France and Poland will be played on Dec 4, 2022 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best France vs Poland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
