Published Jun 10, 6:57pm ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 10, 6:57pm ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Jun 10, 6:57pm ET
Norway and France meet on matchday 3 of Group I at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with both sides having already played Iraq and Senegal heading into the decider.
Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé share a billing that makes this the most compelling Group I fixture; two of the best players in the world, one game to settle the group.
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| France | -165 |
| DRAW | +260 |
| Norway | +310 |
Erling Haaland has 55 international goals and has never played at a senior international tournament before this one. Norway won every qualifying matc. Eight games, 37 goals, five conceded, beating Italy home and away. Martin Ødegaard runs the creative operation from Arsenal, coming off a Premier League-winning season where he captained the club through their title run. Sander Berge provides the defensive structure from Fulham. Antonio Nusa, just 20, adds pace and directness on the flank.
Norway's March friendlies exposed a defensive vulnerability — they conceded five big chances against the Netherlands without Nusa, who has since been confirmed fit. With Haaland and Ødegaard both available, Norway's attacking ceiling is among the five highest at this tournament. The problem is the other end. France's attack, even at 70 percent, creates more chances per game than Norway's back four has faced in competitive football.
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France averaged over two goals per game in qualifying and arrived at this tournament without losing in 14 months. Kylian Mbappé sits one goal from Olivier Giroud's all-time France scoring record. Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d'Or. Michael Olise scored 15 Bundesliga goals at Bayern Munich. Rayan Cherki operates from Manchester City. Bradley Barcola and Désir Doué rotate behind them. Didier Deschamps confirmed this is his final tournament as coach, and the squad knows it.
Defensively, William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté anchor a back line that conceded just twice in qualifying. Aurélien Tchouaméni and N'Golo Kanté shield them from midfield. The last time France and Norway met competitively, France won 4-0. The talent gap across every position except striker is real.
Haaland gives Norway a threat France cannot ignore for 90 minutes. But Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise against a Norwegian back four that already showed vulnerabilities in friendlies is the edge that holds. France control the midfield, Deschamps manages the game, and they get the result they need. We're backing France -165.
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Pick
France -165
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