France vs Poland: Team News, Lineups and Predictions

France vs Poland Predictions

In what appears to be a dead rubber group game, already eliminated Poland take on top-spot pursuing France on the final matchday in group D.

But looking a little closer, this match holds all sorts of significance. Of course for Poland, nothing changes, as they will be heading home after the final whistle. But for France, serious questions need to be answered.

Group D is fairly easy to map as Poland are already eliminated and only an Austria win would open this group up in any way.

Austria will finish 3rd with 3 or 4 points if they lose or draw with France and Netherlands 1 and 2 in some configuration. pic.twitter.com/YyFIxBjXPa

— Rob Ward (@robbo277) June 23, 2024

After two poor performances, they are yet to have a player in their squad score at this tournament, with their only goal coming courtesy of Austria center back Maximilian Wobers’ head. Consequently, questions have arisen over the quality of their finishing, after Kylian Mbappe missed a golden chance against Austria, while Antoine griezmann squandered two sitters against the Netherlands.

There is no questioning the quality and strength in depth that the French squad possess, but the main question has been if they can perform, and win comfortably, without Mbappe. Since breaking his nose in the late stages of the game against Austria, he has been forced to watch on from the bench, and France haven’t looked quite the same in his absence.

According to reports, a Polish company has made a 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle' mask for Kylian Mbappe.

Poland goalkeeper, Marcin Bułka, is said to be prepared to gift it to him before or after their match against France tomorrow 😳 pic.twitter.com/51PEL4lE08

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 24, 2024

Fortunately, reports are indicating that Mbappe looks likely to return to the starting lineup, with France coach Didier Deschamps saying he is “getting better every day and is eager to play,” while in other positions he has full availability.

Poland are only missing Bartosz Salamon, who appeared to suffer an ankle injury during their 3-1 defeat to Austria last time out. Good news arrives in the form of a fully fit Robert Lewandowski, who will likely start his first and only game this Euro’s, in what could well be his last major international tournament.

The two nations have only met three times previously, the most recent being at the 2022 World Cup, where Mbappe bagged a brace and Giroud the opener to emerge victorious with a stylish 3-1 win. The last time Poland managed to beat France was in their very first meeting, all the way back at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

What you need to know about France vs Poland

Poland form (most recent result on the right): WWWLL France form: WWDWD Where: Signal-Iduna Park, Dortmund, 5pm Where can I watch it: BBC 1, BBC iplayer

France vs Poland Predicted lineups

France (4-3-3): Maignan (GK), Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Rabiot, Tchuoameni, Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe.

Poland (3-5-2): Szczesny (GK), Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior, Zalewski, Frankowski, Zielinski, Romanczuk, Moder, Buksa, Lewandowski.

France vs Poland Prediction

For France, this is the perfect game with which to end the group stage, against the only opponent in their group yet to pick up a point. With Mbappe likely to play from the start France will have his pace, flair and creativity back, and with that, belief they can score.

Stop that Mbappé. pic.twitter.com/qQuKvud71D

— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) April 25, 2024

Poland, out of the tournament but still plucky and stubborn opposition for most, are playing for pride, but while Lewandowski will start for the first time in the tournament, I don’t think they will have many opportunities to get forward and threaten Maignan in goal. While they haven’t been scoring thus far this tournament, France have suffocated almost every opposition attack they have faced, and with the lack of elite quality in the Poland squad I don’t see this changing.

France look set to get back to their dominant best, and who knows, maybe Mbappe will finally break his Euro’s drought.

Prediction: 3-0 France