France will be expecting to maintain their perfect start to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they welcome Azerbaijan on Friday night. Indeed, Les Bleus won both of their first two games in Group D, and will be aiming to make it three wins out of three.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan are currently bottom of the group having picked up just one point from their opening two matches. Alongside both Iceland and Ukraine as well, the visitors are the lowest-ranked team in the group according to the official FIFA World Rankings, and so are not fancied to progress.
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France vs Azerbaijan prediction: Routine win for Les Bleus?
Key stats
- France have won three games in a row in total across all competitions.
- Azerbaijan have not won a single match since June 2024.
- Three of France's last four wins have been to nil.
Correct score prediction: France 6-0 Azerbaijan
This is a massive mismatch on paper in terms of the gulf in class between the two teams. Indeed, France are currently ranked a massive 122 places above Azerbaijan in the official FIFA world rankings, and so should have far too much for them on home soil.
Pre-game odds and win probability: France huge favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 1/80 (1.01) – 98.8%
- DRAW: 28/1 (29.00) – 3.4%
- AWAY: 70/1 (71.00) – 1.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, France are unsurprisingly huge favourites with bookmakers to take home all three points. A draw and an Azerbaijan win away from home are both rated at under 4%.
Also, feel free to check out our Football Betting Tips Today page to engage with more of our predictions for the other World Cup qualifiers taking place.
Most recent H2Hs: France formidable in past
France and Azerbaijan have played each other twice before, with Les Bleus unsurprisingly winning both games. The aggregate score was 12-0, albeit both meetings were in the 90s.
France preview: Some notable absentees
France have some notable absentees in their squad, including the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni. PSG pair Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola are also injured for Les Bleus.
Predicted lineup: Maignan (GK); Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Rabiot, Kone; Coman, Olise, Ekitike & Mbappe
Last five results:
- France 2-1 Iceland
- Ukraine 0-2 France
- Germany 0-2 France
- Spain 5-4 France
- France 3-0 Croatia
Azerbaijan preview: No fresh concerns
Azerbaijan have reported no fresh injury concerns in their squad ahead of this clash. The visitors are expected to operate with five at the back.
Predicted lineup: Mahammadaliyev (GK); Dashdamirov, Badalov, Mustafazada, Krivotsyuk, Aliyev; Khaybulaev, Mahmudov, Nuriiev; Emreli & Dadashov
Last five results:
- Azerbaijan 1-1 Ukraine
- Iceland 5-0 Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan 1-2 Hungary
- Latvia 0-0 Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan 0-2 Belarus
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a terrific start to the season with Real Madrid, scoring plenty of goals. He also netted in both of France's previous two World Cup qualifiers, and so it would be a surprise to the superstar forward not find the back of the net here on home soil against Azerbaijan in Friday night's kick-off.