Seeking to return to winning ways in World Cup qualifying, France will face Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on Thursday night.
After kicking off their campaign with three straight victories, Didier Deschamps’ side stumbled to a shock 2-2 draw away at Iceland on matchday four.
Nevertheless, Les Bleus are still in pole position to secure their ticket to next summer’s showpiece by taking top honours in Group D.
In fact, a win over Ukraine on Thursday night would sew up first-place for France with one game to spare.
As for Ukraine, they could move joint-top of Group D if they can claim what would be a shock win in the French capital.
Sergiy Rebrov's side have boosted their qualification hopes by claiming back-to-back wins over Iceland and Azerbaijan during last month’s international window.
How the bookies view it: France firm favourites
Unsurprisingly, France will come into this clash as short-priced 2/11 favourites with BOYLE Sports.
Ukraine are massive 12/1 underdogs on BOYLE Sports, while a share of the Parc des Princes spoils is also considered unlikely at 5/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Les Bleus looking for more of the same
France ran out comfortable 2-0 winners when the pair came up against each other in Poland back on matchday one. The result means France have avoided defeat in all bar one of their overall 13 meetings with Ukraine ahead of this week’s latest encounter.
Players to watch: Vitalii offers value
Kylian Mbappe has scored in each of France's three Group D wins to date – one of which was against Ukraine. With the star-studded hosts short too support on the nose at the aforementioned odds, a more palatable price emerges by backing a French success alongside an Mbappe goal at 4/6 with BOYLE Sports.
Vitalii Mykolenko committed two fouls during Ukraine's win over Iceland last month, and a repeat here against far superior opposition looks an attractive option at 12/5 on Bet365.
Predicted line-ups
France are carrying a fairly heavy injury list at the minute, with Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani all on the sidelines for the hosts.
Ukraine suffered an injury blow ahead of this clash, with star striker Artem Dovbyk ruled out for between four to six weeks after being forced off during Roma’s 2-0 win over Udinese on Sunday.
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Kone, Kante, Barcola, Olise, Mbappe; Mateta
Ukraine: Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Shaparenko, Malinovsky, Yaremchuk, Ocheretko, Voloshyn; Vanat
Anything else catch the eye?
As mentioned, France claimed a comfortable 2-0 win in the reverse fixture, and another low-key success could be on the cards on Thursday night.
Each of France’s three Group D victories have featured under 3.5 goals, and the same combination here holds plenty of appeal at 20/21 with BOYLE Sports.
If you fancy France to see off Ukraine with another clean sheet, then that formula pays 3/4 on BOYLE Sports.
GambleAware