France v Ukraine – Predictions, Team News, Lineups and More

France host Ukraine in Paris looking to clinch top spot in Group D, with qualification within reach and a commemorative night planned at Parc des Princes.

This preview sets the context for a pivotal qualifier, with Didier Deschamps seeking a controlled performance against a well-drilled Serhiy Rebrov side in a fixture that will carry added emotion in the French capital.

Predicted line-ups and tactical setup

France are expected to build from a secure base, with Mike Maignan behind a back four that could feature Jules Koundé, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, plus a natural left-back to balance the line. In midfield, a double pivot offers structure, allowing a trio of creators to work close to Kylian Mbappé, who will threaten space in behind and pin Ukraine’s centre-backs. The hosts will look for quick regains, early diagonals and third-man combinations around the box.

Ukraine are likely to mirror with a compact 4-2-3-1, anchored by Anatoliy Trubin, with full-backs such as Oleksandr Karavayev or Yukhym Konoplya tucked in to protect the half-spaces. The platform of Mykola Shaparenko and a ball-winning partner should release the advanced line, where Georgiy Sudakov between the lines can supply the run of a central striker. Transitions will be key for the visitors, who will try to spring quickly when France commit numbers.

Form, context and key battles

France arrive after a lively draw away to Iceland, a reminder that control can slip if counters are not killed at source, so the focus turns to rest-defence and game management. The front unit will rotate positions to isolate Illya Zabarnyi or Mykola Matviyenko one-v-one, while set plays remain a route to first contact for Upamecano and Saliba. Expect territorial pressure, frequent switches and patient recycling to draw Ukraine out.

Ukraine’s recent uptick in results has come from compact spacing and sharp counters, with Sudakov sliding passes into channels for a mobile nine. The wide duel of Viktor Tsyhankov against France’s full-back could tilt momentum, and second-phase balls around the D are prime for Ruslan Malinovskyi strikes. If Ukraine can survive the first twenty minutes, their confidence in controlled breaks and late runners may rise.

The midfield contest should define rhythm: if Adrien Rabiot or a like-for-like profile partners the sitter cleanly, France can keep Ukraine penned in, whereas quick steals from Taras Stepanenko types will release direct counters. On an occasion charged with remembrance, France will aim for calm tempo, Ukraine will embrace moments of chaos.

Score prediction

With qualification on the line, the hosts’ depth, variety and set-play threat point toward a narrow home success. Ukraine have enough structure and pace to land punches on the break, yet France’s repeated waves, plus late-game control, should tell.

Predicted result: France 1-0 Ukraine