France vs Italy predictions: Zidane's hosts heading for another narrow victory
Jamie Griffith
France are a perfect two wins from two and sit top of Nations Group A1
Italy opened with a defeat but bounced back with a win over Turkey and sit third
Recommended bet: France to win, under 2.5 goals, Michael Olise to score or assist @ 7.5/1 with LiveScore Bet
The end of France's Didier Deschamps era was supposed to signify a switch from a defend-first mentality to a forward-thinking approach under Zinedine Zidane.
A pair of 1-0 wins over Turkey and Belgium suggest it may be a while before that comes to fruition and Zidane will face his toughest test yet when Les Bleus take on Italy on Friday.
The Azzurri landed an eye-catching 4-1 win over Turkey last time out and will look to frustrate their hosts at the Stade de France.
The latest France vs Italy odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Zidane made nine changes to his starting 11 for the Belgium match and should restore most of those who began the win over Turkey to the line-up.
The exception is Kylian Mbappe, who is back in Madrid after suffering a knee injury in Izmit.
Like Zidane, Roberto Mancini made nine changes to his line-up between the first two matches.
He is likely to stick with most of the squad from the second game, though, given the marked improvement from the 2-0 defeat to Belgium to the 4-1 rout of Turkey.
The stats
France have won 13 of their last 16 matches
Roberto Mancini has lost four of his last seven games as Italy manager
Les Bleus' last five wins have been accompanied by a clean sheet
The past four head-to-heads have finished 3-1, France winning three
Michael Olise has been directly involved in four of France's last six goals
Italy have scored more than one goal in just one of their last five matches
The latest France vs Italy odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Italy showed great fight to bounce back from an opening defeat to Belgium and hammer Turkey 4-1.
However, that result probably said more about their underperforming opponents than the Azzurri, who look set for a tougher time in Paris.
Mancini knows a draw would be a good result for a team that needs to return to greatness after missing a third straight World Cup, and he will set up accordingly.
The issue is that even without Mbappe, France have the firepower to get over the line.
They should do just that, although the wait for a first big win under Zidane is likely to continue as Italy sit deep and frustrate their hosts.
Goals are likely to be at a premium, with France set for a sixth game featuring fewer than three strikes in seven outings, but it would take a brave punter to rule out Michael Olise having a say in the result.
The Bayern Munich star bagged a hat-trick in France's last home game and has been directly involved in both of their Nations League goals during this international break, so take him to score or assist against the Azzurri.
Score prediction: France 2-0 Italy
Back France to win, under 2.5 goals, Michael Olise to score or assist @ 7.5/1 with LiveScore Bet
