After a thrilling win over Romania in their opening match, France will look to have a tighter grip of the top spot in Group A. Standing in their way is Albania, who are in desperate need of a victory to stay alive in the tournament. Read on for more about this mouth-watering matchup. You can also see our breakdown of Switzerland vs. Romania.
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France vs. Albania Preview
Where: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
When: Wednesday, June 15, 3:00 PM ET
Line: France -640 vs. Albania +1,400, tie +460; total: 2.5 – view all Euro 2016 lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on France (-640)
They will look to tighten their grip on the top spot when they face Albania this coming Wednesday. For France to record another victory in Group A, it’s paramount that they control the ball again against Albania. Les Bleus were able to control 64 percent of the possession against Romania. That helped the hosts establish a 14-10 edge in shot attempts and a 5-2 advantage in the shots on target department against the Romanians.
France will fancy their chances of beating Albania as they have fared extremely well against them in the European stage. Les Bleus are 4-0 against the Albanians in qualifying matches for the European Championship. The Frenchmen have outscored the Albanians, 11-1, during that four-match span.
France is pegged at -690 to score first in this match.
Betting on Albania (+1,400)
Albania’s Euro campaign may have started off on the wrong foot but there were still plenty of positives for the minnows to take heading into their crunch clash with France this coming Wednesday. Even though they lost 1-0 to Switzerland, there were moments in the match that showed that they really belong in the world stage.
The Euro first-timers didn’t look over-awed by the occasion as they kept highly-fancied Switzerland at bay for the majority of the match. Albania even had a grand opportunity to make history with its first ever Euro goal but substitute Shkelzen Gashi missed a gilt-edged chance in the closing stages of the contest.
The Albanians will take comfort in the fact that they were able to create several chances against Switzerland. They had seven attempts against the Swiss side with two of those going on target. For Albania to replicate that same performance against France, they will need goalie Etrit Berisha to produce another towering display. The Lazio keeper made six key saves in Albania’s opening match loss to Switzerland.
Albania showed that defensive intensity in their last meeting with France last year. Albania defeated France, 1-0, in an international friendly at Elbasan Arena. With their loss to Switzerland, the Eagles are now 2-0-3 this year.
Albania is pegged at +555 to score first in this match.
Writer’s Prediction
France (-640) eases past Albania, 2-0.
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