Can France finish top of the group? Prediction for the match against Turkey on November 15
Sunday, November 15, brings European football fans an intriguing clash on the final matchday of League A in the UEFA Nations League, as France host Turkey at Matmut Stadium in Vénissieux. The fixture carries huge significance for the hosts: Les Bleus need a win to secure their place in the quarter-finals and keep their hopes of topping the group alive, while the visitors have already been relegated from the top division.
France go into their home game second in the table, with 10 points from five matches. They trail leaders Italy only on the tiebreaker after a painful 3-1 defeat at San Siro. Zinedine Zidane's side boast phenomenal attacking firepower and impressive squad depth, but Belgium are just one point behind, leaving France no room for error. Backed by their home crowd, the hosts will be eager to make amends and launch a sustained attacking onslaught from the opening whistle.
Turkey sit bottom of the group, without a point from five matches and with a goal difference of 3:13. Sergen Yalçın's side are undergoing a rebuild and have lost every game in this campaign, including a recent 2-1 home defeat to Belgium, sealing their relegation to League B with a match to spare. Despite lacking anything to play for and having serious defensive issues, the visitors can still pose a threat on the break, with talented players such as Arda Güler offering them a chance to bow out with a statement performance.
The match is likely to be shaped by France's complete dominance of possession. The hosts will look to take control from the outset, raise the tempo of their passing game and attack down the flanks. Turkey are expected to respond with compact mid and low blocks, tight marking in central areas and quick, direct counterattacks when they win the ball. France's greater motivation, superior individual quality and home advantage should be enough to secure a comfortable win.
Prediction
Zidane's side will be keen to prove that the defeat to Italy was a blip and finish the group stage with a convincing performance. My prediction: France -1.5 Asian handicap at 1.64
