France begin their World Cup knockout stages on Tuesday when they face Sweden in the round of 16 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Les Bleus cruise through Group I with perfect points, while Sweden secured a place in the knockout stages as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams after a somewhat varying group stage.
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Didier Deschamps’ side opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal, followed up with a 3-0 win over Iraq, and finished the group stage with a 4-1 win over Norway. France scored ten goals in three games – an average of 3.33 per game – and conceded just two.
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Sweden’s path to this has been far less convincing. Graham Potter’s side started with a win over Tunisia, before suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. A 1-1 draw against Japan in the last group match was enough to qualify as one of the best third teams.
The Swedes have shown attacking flashes through Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga, but defensive concerns remain – they have conceded seven goals in three games.
Despite the challenges, Sweden can draw inspiration from their results against top opposition. Three of their last four defeats against France have been by a one-goal margin, and they have enough attacking quality to cause problems for any defence.
Team news for France vs Sweden
France are likely to get William Saliba back in the starting eleven. The Arsenal stopper was rested against Norway due to a minor back ailment, but is expected to start alongside Dayot Upamecano. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot are likely to continue in midfield.
Mbappé leads the attack with the support of Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.
Sweden has concerns in their defence after Isak Hien was injured during the 1-1 draw against Japan. Victor Lindelöf could therefore drop down the defensive line, allowing Lucas Bergvall to continue alongside Yasin Ayari in midfield. Elanga, Isak and Gyökeres are expected to start in an attacking three.
Predicted line-ups
France (4-3-3): Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Olise, Dembélé, Doué – Mbappé
Sweden (4-3-3): Zetterström – Lagerbielke, Lindelöf, Gudmundsson – Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud – Elanga, Gyökeres, Isak
France vs. Sweden
The game will be played on Tuesday, June 30 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Kick-off is at 23:00 Norwegian time.
Key figures for France vs. Sweden
- France won Group I with perfect points – nine out of a possible nine.
- Les Bleus scored ten goals and conceded only two in the group stage.
- Ousmane Dembélé scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Norway.
- Kylian Mbappé has scored in all three group games.
- France have reached at least the final in each of the last two World Cup finals.
- Sweden qualified as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
- The Swedes scored seven and conceded seven in the group stage.
- The 5-1 loss to the Netherlands is the heaviest of any team to reach the knockout stages.
- Elanga, Isak and Gyökeres have all contributed goals in the tournament.
- France have won four of the last five meetings between the nations.
- Sweden have lost four of their last five games against France – three of them by a one-goal margin.
Prediction for France vs. Sweden
Sweden have enough attacking quality to cause problems, especially through Isak, Gyökeres and Elanga – but France have looked like one of the tournament’s most complete teams.
With Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise in brilliant form, Les Bleus should create plenty of chances and have enough firepower to secure a place in the last eight.
Prediction: France 3-1 Sweden
P.S. If France wins, they are one step closer to facing Norway’s A-team in the World Cup final.
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