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Match Preview: France vs Australia, Group C, June 16

On Saturday, June 16th at 6pm EST, France and Australia begin their bids for the 2018 World Cup at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia. France is the heavy favorite in this contest, compared to Australia who is not expected to make it out of the group stage. For more information on current odds visit our World Cup betting area and enjoy the best props, futures and World Cup bonuses during Russia 2018. Register today!

France

France is a heavy hitter in this tournament, and they are just behind Germany, Brazil and Spain as favorites to win it all in Russia. Ranked #7 in the world by FIFA, they boast a roster of big-name talents such as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and N'Golo Kante. They blew through qualifying with a 7-2-1 record, with 8 different players contributing goals during that span. This will be France's 5th consecutive world Cup and their 14 overall appearance at the tournament. Winners in 98 and runners-up in 06, France is fielding one of the best teams it has had to offer in years at Russia.

Australia

Australia on the other hand had a wild qualifying run that saw them span the length of the globe to get their shot at a playoff berth. Having had to travel as far as Honduras to clinch their berth, the Socceroos were the last team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They are an older team, with Tim Cahill leading the way at 38 years old. Alongside him are Mile Jedinak and Aaron Mooy, who are both capable midfielders playing for top European Clubs. Together the three will try to advance their country to the group of 16, which they have managed to do only one other time in their history, in 2006. The rest of the squad is a bit underwhelming, and there is a question still of what direction the team will take; former manager Ange Postecoglou quit after the last qualifying match and has recently been replaced by Bert van Marwijk. In the two friendly matches that have been played since taking over, Marwijk seems to have the team playing a hard-working, gritty style of ball, which could serve Australia well if they hope to upset teams.

Match Overview

This game is France's to lose. They have the firepower, the history, and momentum on their side. Australia will have to play the role of the underdog, but the good news for them is that France has stumbled against inferior competition in the recent past. They drew against Belarus and Luxembourg during their qualifying run, and as recently as March 23 lost a friendly match to Colombia. Regardless, anyone who looks at these two rosters and thinks that Australia has a decent chance of winning has to be crazy. France is replete with talent in all parts of the field, and is maybe sporting their best roster since the 2006 World Cup, when they were runners-up. Australia meanwhile is a team that barely made it into the tournament by the skin of their teeth behind lower-ranked countries in their group. They would need a miracle to pull off even a draw here.

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Group Phase