France will look to boost their hopes of finishing top of Group A Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League when they host Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday evening.
Les Bleus won 4-1 away from home in the first leg in Budapest last month, with goals from Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku, Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola.
Latest France vs Israel team information
France coach Didier Deschamps has continued to hold off on Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, insisting that "this is the best option." Wesley Fofana, Loic Bade and Aurelien Tchouameni are also absent through injury, while Tchouameni is also suspended following his red card against Belgium.
Lille's talented goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has been called up for the first time but is likely to remain Mike Maignan's back-up. N'Golo Kante from Al Ittihad and Marseille's Adrien Rabiot return to the squad, with either of them likely to start in midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga.
Kolo Muani, with four goals in his last four games for France, could continue as the centre-forward in Mbappe's absence, while Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola are the supporting options up front.
For Israel, Dor Turgeman and goalkeeper Omri Glazer are both absent through injury, but captain Eli Dasa is back and will compete for a place on the right wing or in the centre of defence with 64 caps.
Manor Solomon has also recovered from injury and returned to the squad, but it is unclear whether the Tottenham striker (on loan at Leeds United) will be put on the field from the start to replace Oscar Gloukh or Omri Gandelman - who scored against France in the first leg.
In Glazer's absence, Yoav Gerafi or Daniel Peretz from Bayern Munich will take over in goal, while Dor Peretz, Gavriel Kanichowsky, Mohammad Abu Fani and Mahmoud Jaber are all competing for starting spots in midfield.
Latest expected lineup France vs Israel
France:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Camavinga; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Kolo Muani
Israel:
Peretz; Dasa, Feingold, Nachimas; Abada, Kanichowsky, Abu Fani, Haziza; Gloukh, Gandelman; Baribo
Latest France vs Israel football commentary
Since losing 1-3 at home to Italy in their Nations League opener, France have collected a maximum of nine points from their next three games, including a win over Israel and two wins over Belgium.
Randal Kolo Muani scored in France's 2-0 win over Belgium in September and then netted twice in a 2-1 win away from home last month, as Didier Deschamps' side held on for the final 14 minutes and injury time with 10 men.
Ranked second in the FIFA rankings and winners of the 2021 Nations League, France are currently second in Group A, Pot 2, just one point behind leaders Italy. They will face Italy head-to-head in the decisive match in Milan next Sunday.
France will be assured of a place in the Nations League quarter-finals if they avoid defeat to Israel on Thursday and Belgium fail to beat Italy. However, if Belgium win and France fail to get the three points, Les Bleus will still face the threat of a relegation playoff.
The hosts head into the game unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Israel in all competitions, although France have won just two of their four home games against Israel. The last meeting between the two sides at the Stade de France, a 2004 World Cup qualifier, ended in a goalless draw.
Following the horrific scenes of violence between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans in Amsterdam last week, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, there were concerns that the Israel-France match might not go ahead. The National Security Council has advised Israelis to avoid cultural and sporting events in Europe, including France. Despite this, Thursday's match will still take place in Paris, with thousands of police reinforcements and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Stade de France in a show of "friendship and solidarity".
Amid the off-field turmoil, Israel have endured a difficult Nations League campaign, facing strong opposition from Italy, France and Belgium. They have lost all four of their games and are bottom of Group A Group 2. Israel will be relegated to League B if they lose to France on Thursday or if Belgium beat Italy, while their only hope is to win both of their remaining games, including Sunday's game against Belgium, and make it through to the relegation playoff.
Ranked 81st in the FIFA rankings, Ran Ben Shimon's side have become accustomed to playing away from home in recent times. When they arrive in Paris on Thursday, memories of a historic 3-2 World Cup qualifying win in October 1993, when Didier Deschamps was playing in midfield for France, could be a morale booster. While Israel can hope for a goal, having scored in all four Nations League games, their chances will be tougher against Les Bleus.
In fact, France are still considered strong candidates and with home advantage, they can easily win all three points, even without Mbappe in the squad.
France vs Israel score prediction
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the France vs Israel match:
- Sportsmole: France 3-0 Israel
- WhoScore: France 4-0 Israel
- Our newspaper predicts: France 3-0 Israel
When and where to watch France vs Israel live?
To watch live the France vs Israel match in the Nations League taking place at 2:45 a.m. on November 15, viewers can watch on TV360 here, Mytv system here or on online sports channels. Wishing viewers happy football watching moments.
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