The French national team qualified for the 2018 World Cup with only one loss through the qualifying round in a 7-2-1 run through UEFA Group A. The team heads into its match against Australia Saturday as the biggest favorite on the board in World Cup action this weekend.
France vs. Australia 2018 odds: Saturday World Cup matchup has France as heavy favorite
France will look to start its World Cup off on the right foot as big favorites at the sportsbooks against Australia when the nations meet Saturday in Russia.
Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images
France is a -425 favorite on the World Cup odds to win in Kazan at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Australia will try to pull off an upset as a massive +1000 underdog, or to steal a point with a draw at +550.
World Cup Group C: France vs. Australia
When: Saturday, June 16, 6 a.m. ET
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia
Betting Line / Total: France -425 / 2.5 Goals
For as much offensive firepower as the French team has on paper, it was somewhat surprising to see them only score 18 goals through 10 qualifying matches. Olivier Giroud and Antoine Greizmann led the way with four goals apiece.
There are no points for style, however, and France did what it had to do to finish atop its group and earn its spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In the 2014 World Cup, France won its group with a 2-1-0 record.
France and Australia have met four times in international play with France holding a 2-1-1 all-time advantage. In the most recent meeting between these two teams in 2013, France won a friendly, 6-0.
Of the 32 teams participating in this year’s World Cup, Australia took the longest qualifying path to Russia. After 18 qualifying matches, Australia needed to win a playoff against Syria and then another playoff against Honduras to finally punch its ticket to Russia.
What the Socceroos lack in talent they have made up for in resiliency leading up to this tournament. Australia will try to improve on a dismal 2-3-8 all-time record in World Cup play this summer.
Saturday’s total is set at 2.5 goals. The total went OVER 2.5 in six of France’s 10 qualification games.
With a severe talent advantage over Australia, this serves as a great warm-up game for France. The French team should in theory roll to a big win, but on the other hand all of the pressure is on them; Australia should play this game aggressively and loose, which could lead to some drama if they find an early goal.
For more odds information, betting picks, and a breakdown of this week’s top World Cup betting news check out the OddsShark FC podcast with Andrew Avery, Rob Trites, and Craig Cormier. Listen to it at OddsSharkFC.libsyn.com.
