France vs Italy Predictions

• France reached the semi-finals at Euro 2024.
• Les Bleus haven’t lost a competitive home game since June 2022.
• Italy have won just two of their last six competitive games.

Favourites France too strong for Italy

France head into the Nations League as the favourites for overall glory and they can send out an early statement by beating Italy at the Parc des Princes on Friday.

Les Bleus were eliminated in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 by Spain in what will be viewed as a huge disappointment, but they have a chance to respond against an Italy side who really underwhelmed in Germany.

The Italians won just one game in the tournament and were knocked out in the last 16 by Switzerland, and they have won just two of their last six competitive games – losing three of those.

Unsurprisingly, France have a formidable home record and they haven’t lost a competitive game on French soil since 2022, so back them to overcome Italy.

Both sides have opted to freshen up their squads as they return to action after their respective Euro 2024 campaigns. France have included uncapped Olympians Michael Olise, Manu Koné and Loïc Badé but they have mixed youth and experience as big names N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are all present.

The Azzurri have probably gone a bit further as eight members of their Euro 2024 squad haven’t made the cut here, and that lack of experience could potentially prove costly.

A 2-0 win for France is the correct score prediction as they have six clean sheets in their last nine home games, including friendlies, and Italy have scored just one goal across their last three games.

Mbappe has endured a mixed start at Real Madrid but can add to his international haul here. The former PSG man scored in the Super Cup but initially struggled in La Liga, Mbappe did manage his first league goals with a brace against Real Betis in the last round of games for Los Blancos and should come into this game in confident mood.