Ukraine and France to battle to yet another draw
Ukraine and France will both be seeking to put disappointing midweek draws in UEFA's Group D of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification section with a more positive result and performance at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex in Kiev. The hosts surprisingly drew in Kazakhstan despite taking the lead, with two injury time strikes ensuring a thrilling finish in Nur-Sultan. Meanwhile, the defending world champions deservedly only drew with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Jules Koundé's dismissal early in the second half ensured that a 1-1 tie was the best they could hope for. Read our preview here:
Spinning a Yarm
Though still on the periphery for club West Ham United, Andriy Yarmolenko remains one of Ukraine's most deadly threats; though he didn't grab a goal in midweek, he did hit the post, and was interim head coach Oleksandr Petrakov's best player on the night. A similar level of performance will be required when hosting Les Bleus on Saturday as the right-sided attacking midfielder behind sole striker Roman Yaremchuk. Elsewhere, Inverted wing-back Oleksandr Zinchenko remains suspended, which is a big blow in the area France are at their strongest.
The Dubois shuffle
Koundé's needless red opens the door for Léo Dubois to stake his claim on the right flank of the back four. Adept on either wing, the absence of Zinchenko means he'll have more freedom to press high up the pitch to offer width as and when Kingsley Coman elects to cut inside with or without the ball. Kylian Mbappé, subject of an audacious late bid by Real Madrid to prise him away from PSG with a year remaining on his contract, is expected to miss out because of a calf injury, with Anthony Martial set to replace him.
Open draws and open doors
Though on paper, neither Finland nor Bosnia-Herzegovina ought to threaten the top two positions, if they both continue to drop points in unexpected situations, it does at least make the struggle for second (and a play-off place) a scramble. Even without Mbappé or N'Golo Kanté, Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal; that said, they haven't won in four matches, and whilst very difficult to beat, they're not putting away sides either. bet365 have odds of 3.60 for a draw that will suit neither nation.
