SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 5 hrs 19 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
FN
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Nov 13, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
 
KN

France
8 - 0
Kazakhstan

Mbappe (6', 12', 32', 87'), Benzema (55', 59'), Rabiot (75'), Griezmann (84' pen.)
Benzema (52')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Omirtayev (51'), Vassiljev (83')

Preview: France vs. Kazakhstan - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: France vs. Kazakhstan - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between France and Kazakhstan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Reigning world champions France will aim to assure themselves of a spot in Qatar when they welcome Kazakhstan to the Parc des Princes for Saturday's World Cup 2022 Qualifying battle.

Didier Deschamps's side will assure themselves of a first-placed finish with all three points this weekend, while their visitors have already been consigned to a fifth-placed standing.


Match preview

It has been a struggle for France to properly assert their dominance since coming up trumps in Russia three years ago, but when another shot at silverware in the Nations League presented itself, Les Bleus did not let the chance go begging.

After a thrilling semi-final victory over Belgium, the reigning world champions faced 2010 World Cup winners Spain in the showpiece event last month, where strikes from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe cancelled out Mikel Oyarzabal's opener to propel Les Bleus to glory.

Such a triumph was the ideal way for France to respond to their humiliating Euro 2020 exit, and while they have not had it all their own way in Qatar qualification, all three points will guarantee a spot in next year's Finals.

Indeed, Deschamps's side boast a three-point lead at the top of the rankings over Ukraine - who have played a game more - and a fourth victory from seven Qualifying games will ensure that Les Bleus cannot be caught by the chasing pack.

A pair of draws with Ukraine and another one-pointer with Bosnia-Herzegovina have raised eyebrows this year, but France welcome Kazakhstan to the capital unbeaten in 10 World Cup Qualifying games at home since defeat to Spain in 2013.

Kazakhstan's wait for a first-ever World Cup appearance as an independent nation has unsurprisingly been extended for at least another four years, with the 125th-ranked nation already confirmed to be finishing at the bottom of the pile in Group D.

This week's visitors to the Parc des Princes are the only team in the group who have failed to win any of their Qualifying games so far, and the chances of them rounding off their campaign with all three points at the home of Paris Saint-Germain are extremely slim to say the least.

Talgat Baysufinov's side suffered a pair of 2-0 defeats to Bosnia and Finland last month to leave them rooted to the bottom of the rankings with three points taken from seven games, scoring a group-low five goals and conceding a group-high 12.

Two of Kazakhstan's three points in World Cup 2022 Qualifying have come on the road in previous draws with Bosnia and Ukraine - whom they have rather impressively held twice in Group D - but their winless streak across all tournaments now stands at an alarming 14 matches.

France eased to a 2-0 win during their previous meeting with Kazakhstan back in March - with Ousmane Dembele on the scoresheet - and it would be a shock to see the visitors' first trip to Paris end in delirium.

France World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W

France form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Kazakhstan World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L

Kazakhstan form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L

Team News

France will be forced to cope without Paul Pogba for November's fixtures after the Manchester United man sustained a thigh injury in training, which could supposedly rule him out until 2022.

Jordan Veretout has taken Pogba's place in the squad, while Presnel Kimpembe also pulled out injured and has been replaced by Clement Lenglet, and the injured Raphael Varane will also play no part.

Deschamps is reportedly set to stick with a three-man defence for Saturday's game, with brothers Lucas Hernandez and Theo Hernandez both earning starting roles.

As for Kazakhstan, Yan Vorogovsky and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov both picked up their second bookings of qualification in the defeat to Finland and will not be available for their side this weekend, although the former is injured anyway.

Maksat Taykenov could therefore earn a start on the left while Vorogovsky watches on from home, while Artur Shushenachev prepares to deputise for Zaynutdinov up top.

CSKA Moscow's Zaynutdinov is the highest international goalscorer in the squad with eight goals to his name from 20 matches, and his absence will be a bitter blow to the visitors' fleeting hopes of a positive result here.

France possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Kounde, Upamecano, L. Hernandez; Pavard, Kante, Tchouameni, T. Hernandez; Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Pokalitov; Beysebekov, Alip, Maliy; Bystrov, Kuat, Zhukov, Vasiljev, Taykenov; Shushenachev, Omirtaev


We say: France 3-0 Kazakhstan

France will be forced to deal with the absences of some key players this month, but the chance to guarantee a first-placed finish with a game to spare is all the motivation that the hosts need to get the job done.

Kazakhstan have very little to play for and can therefore play without fear at the Parc des Princes, but Les Bleus ought to book their place in Qatar with a professional performance.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__469861 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-11-12 00:34:21:
html db last update - 2021-11-11 10:30:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Lenglet replaces injured Kimpembe in France squad
Liverpool, Bayern suffer huge blow as Alonso confirms Leverkusen stay
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Ten Hag confirms vital Man Utd player could return against Brentford

1

TH

How Real Madrid could line up against Athletic Bilbao

2

HR

Man City vs. Arsenal: Head-to-head record and past meetings

3

MC

Fluminense president claims Chelsea defender will leave club this summer

4

FP

Newcastle 'join Man City, Man United in race for in-demand centre-back'

5

N'

Friday's League Two predictions including Wrexham vs. Mansfield

6

FL

Preview: Inter Miami vs. NY City - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PI

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PB

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

9

A'

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

10

MC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .