UEFA EURO CUP 2016 Group A – France Team Predictions, Odds and Preview

France – No. 21 in FIFA World Rankings

Team Strengths:

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.