Despite losing star striker Karim Benzema for the tournament, France are still well-stocked with attacking talent. Olivier Giroud can lead the line capably in place of Benzema, Antoine Griezmann (+750 to be the tournament’s top scorer) and Anthony Martial have had excellent seasons for their respective clubs, and Kingsley Coman can be a huge difference-maker off the bench.
Meanwhile, Hugo Lloris is probably one of the tourney’s top three goalies and powerhouse midfielder Paul Pogba is +1,200 to be crowned the tournament’s best player. With all that talent at their disposal, the French are -275 favorites to top Group A, and +300 favorites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy in their own backyard.
Team Weaknesses:
As stacked with talent as Les Bleus are in attack and midfield, they are less secure at the back. Their full-backs, in particular, are areas of concern. Four of the five players who can man those positions in their squad are all on the wrong side of 30. The left side, with 34-year-old Patrice Evra and 32-year-old Jeremy Mathieu, would be vulnerable against a team that has pace along the wing.
Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):
Category
Stat
Goals Scored Per Game
N/A
Goals Conceded Per Game
N/A
Goal Attempts Per Game
N/A
Pass Completion Percentage
N/A
Ball Possession Percentage
N/A
*As hosts, France did not participate in the Euro 2016 Qualifiers
Starting Lineup:
Position
Name (Age)
Career Caps
Goals
Goalie
Hugo Lloris (29)
75
0
Defender
Bacary Sagna (33)
55
0
Defender
Laurent Koscielny (30)
27
0
Defender
Rafael Varane (23)
28
2
Defender
Patrice Evra (34)
71
0
Midfielder
Paul Pogba (23)
29
5
Midfielder
Blaise Matuidi (29)
42
7
Midfielder
Lassana Diarra (31)
33
0
Forward
Antoine Griezmann (25)
26
7
Forward
Anthony Martial (20)
8
0
Forward
Olivier Giroud (29)
47
14
Writer’s Prediction
France (+300) prevail on home turf and claim Euro 2016.
