UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers: France vs Netherlands: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The World Cup runners-up and two-time winners take on the Netherlands in the opening qualifying match at the Stade De France, Paris.

Didier Deschamps will be looking to add the Euro 2024 trophy to his rich trophy cabinet when his French side begins their campaign against the Netherlands. Deschamps is looking to become the third manager after Helmut Schön of Germany and Vicente del Bosque of Spain to have won both the European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. Despite managing to take his side to the Euro 2016 final at home, they ended by losing to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal side, in extra time.

However, he's managed to find International success as a manager, as the Les Blues ended up winning the World Cup in 2018. That was followed by a surprise Round of 16 loss to Switzerland in penalties, in the Euro 2020 campaign. Two years later, Deschamps continued to grow with his talented bunch of French players as the Les Blues made it to the final and almost defended their World Cup. Despite a Kylian Mbappe hat trick, Argentina & Lionel Messi ended up winners in Doha. 

Immediately after the World Cup, Didier Deschamps was rewarded for the prolonged period of on-field successes with the Les Blues, with a contract extension till 2026, in January this year. He said " We have two big games against the Netherlands and Ireland in March, on the road to qualifying for Euro 2024 in Germany. You can count on me, on all the staff to ensure that the French team remains at the highest international level." post the extension, this will be the first game in charge for the French manager, with the new captain announced as Kylian Mbappe to begin a fresh campaign for Euro 2024.

For the Netherlands, the federation has brought back Ronald Koeman, who found relative success with his short spell in charge of the National team, until he left to take up his dream job managing Barcelona in 2019. The match against France will be Koeman's first match in charge, in his second stint, and succeeds Louis van Gaal, who stepped down following the World Cup quarter-final exit in Qatar last year. 

Koeman's last notable achievement with the Oranje was winning the newly introduced UEFA Nations League, in 2019. This also included a famous 2-0 win over France, in the group stage of the competition. The Dutch manager will be hoping to start where he left off as he begins another stint with the National Team and add their second UEFA Euro title, after their last win in 1974.

Kick-off:

Friday, 19-03-2023, 07:40 pm (GMT)

Saturday, 20-03-2023, 01:15 pm (IST)

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

Netherlands form (all competitions): D-W-W-D-W

Players to watch

France: Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has now been named Didier Deschamps' captain for the Les Blues, as the PSG forward has been given more responsibility for his National Team. The World Cup in Qatar was an incredibly successful one for Kylian, where he ended up being the top scorer with 8 goals, but still ended up losing the final to his club teammate Lionel Messi & Argentina.

However, his star has continued to shine, as has become Paris St Germain's all-time top scorer after he scored his 201st goal in a 4-2 home win against Nantes on the 5th of March. His manager has also recognised his importance, given how he single-handedly produced so many crucial moments for Les Blues and will look to add to his 36 goals tally for his country to begin the Euro 2024 qualifying, against the Dutch.

Netherlands: Cody Gakpo

The Dutch forward was seen in prolific form in the World Cup in Qatar for the Dutch, as he scored a total of three goals in four matches, and helped his side reach the quarter-finals. His incredible performances led to a move to the Premier League with Liverpool signing him for £45m in late December. He scored nine goals and 12 assists for PSV Eindhoven prior to his move and has scored 4 goals in 9 appearances so with Liverpool. He's the man to watch out for as Ronal Koeman looks to build his side around him for the Oranje.

Match Facts

• The French are unbeaten in their last five home matches played at the Stade De France.
• When playing at home, France is unbeaten against the Netherlands in their last 3 matches.
• The Netherlands are unbeaten in the last nine International away fixtures.

Team & Injury News

The French will miss out on Arsenal defender Saliba & Monaco midfielder Fofana, with minor injuries with their clubs. Mike Maignan will be the new first-choice keeper after long-standing captain Hugo Lloris retired after the World Cup.

For the Dutch, Frenkie De Jong has been ruled out after picking up a knock during Barcelona's win over Real Madrid in LaLiga. Also, Donyell Malen of Dortmund and Joey Veerman have been called up to replace De Jong and also injured Steven Bergwijn.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches – 20

France wins– 11

Netherlands wins– 6

Draws – 3

Predicted Lineups

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

Maignan; Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Coman, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Netherlands predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Cillessen; Timber, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; de Roon, Veerman, Wijnaldum; Depay, Weghorst, Gakpo

Match Prediction

The French are really strong at home, and the depth of their squad should have enough quality to start their qualifying campaign with a win. The Dutch despite being under new management should have some adjustment period under new Manager Ronald Koeman with five new personnel added for the first time as well as the return of older players who haven't featured in a while.

Prediction: France 2 - 1 Netherlands.

Telecast

India – Sony Ten Network, Sony Liv app, Jio TV

UK- Viaplay 1 & Viaplay UK

USA – Fox Sports 

Nigeria – beIN Sports