France vs Ukraine prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 13.11.2025
One of the marquee encounters of matchday 9 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will unfold on Thursday at the Parc des Princes in Paris, where France will host Ukraine. I’m backing a bet on goals in this clash, which promises great value and high chances of success.
Match preview
Didier Deschamps’ France side dropped their first points of the current qualifying campaign after a draw with Iceland. Nevertheless, Les Bleus remain firmly atop their group and are just one step away from securing an automatic World Cup berth. At home, the French boast an unbeaten streak of 13 qualifiers and will be eager to seal qualification in front of their own fans.
Despite missing several attacking players, France’s frontline is still stacked with world-class options. Mbappé, Nkunku, and Thauvin are all capable of causing havoc for any defense. Even a draw would keep France in pole position, but with the home crowd behind them, the hosts are surely focused on nothing but victory.
Ukraine, after a rough start, have clawed their way back into contention for a top-two finish thanks to crucial wins over Iceland and the Caucasus representatives. Under Serhiy Rebrov, the Ukrainians have improved going forward and continue to impress with their attacking output, especially away from home. A win in Paris would not only secure second place but also give Ukraine a shot at the top spot in the group.
The "Yellow-Blues" have shown grit and attacking efficiency despite personnel setbacks. The absence of Artem Dovbyk has been offset by the call-up of the young and ambitious Voloshyn, while the midfield partnership of Malinovskyi and Shaparenko looks solid. Ukraine are unlikely to sit back in this one—they’re expected to push forward and take the game to the hosts.
Probable lineups
- France: Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Digne, Saliba, Camavinga, Kanté, Nkunku, Olise, Thauvin, Mbappé
- Ukraine: Trubin, Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Mykolenko, Matviyenko, Malinovskyi, Yarmolyuk, Shaparenko, Voloshyn, Hutsulyak, Vanat
Match facts and head-to-head
- France are unbeaten in their last 16 World Cup qualifiers
- Ukraine have scored in 12 of their last 14 qualifying matches
- Their last meeting ended in a 2-0 win for France
Prediction
France need a win to clinch early qualification for the World Cup, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Ukraine, meanwhile, won’t just sit back—they’ll look to seize their opportunity and make it a battle. Both teams are regular scorers and motivation is sky-high. My bet for this match is "Over 2.5 goals" at odds of 1.60.
