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MATCH THREAD: Group A - France vs Albania - KO 20:00 (ITV)

Who will win?

  • France

    Votes: 9 90.0%
  • Albania

    Votes: 1 10.0%
  • Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    10
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Le_nouveau_logo_FFF.png
vs
Albania_Football_Association.png

France coach Didier Deschamps is expected to stick with the same team that beat Romania in their opening match.

If he does decide to make changes to keep his squad fresh, Moussa Sissoko could be drafted into the midfield.

Albania are without captain Lorik Cana after he was sent off in their opening match against Switzerland.

Arlind Ajeti or Frederic Veseli are vying to replace him in central defence.

Almost a year ago to the day, Albania beat France for the first time in their history. The performance by Didier Deschamps' side in a 1-0 defeat was described as 'lacklustre', 'listless', 'worrying' and 'far from convincing' by the press, who were starting to doubt Les Bleus' credentials to win a Euros on home soil, given that it was their third defeat in four friendlies.

However, fast forward twelve months from that loss and France extended their run to one defeat in the subsequent 11 matches with a last-gasp Euro 2016 opening victory over Romania courtesy of Dmitri Payet's magnificent goal.

They were far from perfect, but given they haven't played a competitive match for two years it was hardly a surprise.

As for Albania, they have to do without suspended captain Lorik Cana after his sending off in the disappointing defeat to Switzerland, in which coach Gianni De Biasi was furious at the missed chances by his side. The feeling is that Deschamps' team are moving through the gears and Albania could be in for a tough night.
 

Would have had the French nailed on for a win here but given what happened last night with Iceland against Portugal, it wouldn't surprise me if the Albanians grind out a draw here by frustrating the French
 
Hoping Payet scores a couple or assists, was still 20/1 for top scorer yesterday so put a pound on
 

Isnt Mahrez Albanian? He injured?

Or not Albanian.

Will be Algerian if not.

Or East Angligan.
 


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