Azerbaijan vs France Prediction & Betting Tips (16 November)

Azerbaijan closes a qualifying campaign in anonymity, in last place in the group. The Azerbaijani players have just suffered a third defeat in a row against Iceland 0-2 after those conceded in October against France 3-0 and Ukraine 2-1. Never yet involved in a major competition, they remain stuck at a small point over the first 5 days, while scoring an average of more than 2 goals per match. We have to go back to the summer of 2024, in a friendly against Kazakhstan, to find the trace of Azerbaijan's last victory. Since then, the 123rd selection in the FIFA rankings has played 15 matches, including 12 defeats. The French team secured its qualification for the World Cup on Thursday, after a mixed performance against Ukraine.

The Blues were unable to put the defense in danger in the first 45 minutes and rallied in the second half, once the first goal was scored, to win handily 4-0 at the Parc des Princes. They are now ahead of their new runner-up, Iceland, by 6 points in these qualifiers where this opponent was the only one to take away the points from a victory, during the last meeting 2-2. With qualification having been achieved, the reigning world vice-champions will be able to approach this last meeting without pressure before preparing for the last competition of the Didier Deschamps era in the coming months. Before focusing on these qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the French players fell in June in the semi-finals of the Nations League against Spain 5-4 and took third place at the expense of Germany 0-2. 

Azerbaijan is devoid of a star or any player playing at the highest club level. Most of its internationals play in the national championship, including some in Qarabag such as executives Mustafazada (42 caps), A. Hüseynov (33 sels) and Bayramov (37 sels). Striker Ahmadzada, who has not yet scored in 13 caps, will be absent this Sunday, suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, when number 1 goalkeeper Mahammadaliyev (34 sels) should find his place in goal after serving his suspension against Iceland. In midfield, captain Mahmudov (Neftçi, 59 selections, 14 goals) is the only scorer for the selection in this qualifying campaign. The Blues arrive with their armada despite several detrimental absences. While Dembélé (PSG, 57 caps, 7 goals), his club teammate Désiré Doué (4 caps), Kolo Muani (Tottenham, 9 goals in 31 caps) and midfielders Rabiot (AC Milan, 56 caps) Tchouaméni (Real Madrid, 43 caps) were not called up due to injuries, Camavinga (28 caps) was but the player of Real Madrid, who forfeited against Ukraine, has since left the gathering.

Still in the midfield, the essential Manu Koné (AS Rome, 12 sel) is suspended. His absence could benefit Khéphren Thuram (Juventus, 3rd team), summoned as reinforcement and already started in the first leg against Azerbaijan. Also note that his brother Marcus (Inter, 31 selections, 2 goals) was not called up by Didier Deschamps, being too tight after having just got back on his feet. Among the players available, it is possible that changes will be made to the starting eleven with in particular a tenure of Gusto (Chelsea, 7 caps) on the right side of the defense to give Koundé (FC Barcelona, ​​46 caps) a breather. Author of an excellent first part of the season with Real Madrid, Mbappé (55 goals in 94 caps) was one of the great architects of the success against Ukraine. Olise (Bayern Munich, 3 goals in 13 sels) was also in the good times when the raw talent Cherki (Manchester City, 3 sels) still needs to progress to become indispensable in Blue.