Tunisia vs France: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

Les Blues have already qualified for the Round of 16 after winning their first two games of the group stage.

On Wednesday, Tunisia will square off against France at the Education City Stadium in their third and final group-stage game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Having already confirmed a place in the last 16, France will be looking to top the group. The African nation sits bottom of the standings and must overcome the reigning champions to stand any chance of making it through to the knockout stages.

Things are much dicier for Tunisia. The north Africans have to win to stay alive in the tournament, this appears to be a herculean task for a team that is yet to score a goal in the competition and will get second if the match between Australia and Denmark ends in a draw.

Tunisia Form (all competitions): W-L-W-D-L

France Form (all compititons): L-W-L-W-W

Injury and team news

Tunisia boss Kadri should be counting on a fully-fit squad for the showdown with France, with second-choice goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said back on the bench on Saturday after recovering from discomfort. With victory needed here, Jalal Kadri may turn to old Premier League favourite Wahbi Khazri to spice things up in the attack.

As for France, Deschamps also has no fresh concerns to report from the win over Denmark, but many changes can be expected as the Bleus boss spares his first-choice crop for the knockout rounds.

Players to watch

Wahbi Khazri

The former Sunderland attacker is yet to start a game in attack, with Naim Sliti and Youssef Msakni preferred in the forward spots behind striker Issam Jebali but they may get the opportunity here. Tunisia still has not scored a single goal in this tournament and will be looking to perform well Khazri can solve the issue and will look to perform well in the World Cup.

Olivier Giroud

Giroud’s most significant feature is his ability to hold up the ball, centre-backs are always aware of his ability to position himself in space and expect his team-mate to find him with a pass or cross. Giroud has a knack for the spectacular. Even though he is not in his prime anymore but still he can create a lot of problems for the opposition's teams.

Head-to-head stats

Matches: 5

Tunisia: 1

France: 2

Draw: 2

Predicted lineup

Tunisia predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Dahmen; Bronn, Meriah, Talbi; Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi; Sliti, Khazri; Jebali.

France predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Lloris; Pavard, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Guendouzi, Rabiot; Coman, Camavinga, Mbappe; Thuram.

Tunisia vs France: Prediction

The Eagles of Carthage have fallen short of scoring in their first two games of the competition. They have scored in four of their five meetings against France and will be hopeful of a better goalscoring output in this game than in their previous two games. France will be able to play at their own pace and pick opportunities to hit their opposition on the counter, a nightmare when stars like Mbappe are primed and ready for action.

Prediction: Tunisia 0 - 3 France