Already through to the knockout stages, Norway and France meet at Gillette Stadium on Friday with Group I top spot up for grabs.
Norway vs FranceSee All Odds
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Norway and France lock horns at Gillette Stadium on Friday night in a blockbuster Group I showdown, with top spot on the line despite both nations already securing their places in the World Cup knockout stages. The Norwegians have been one of the tournament's surprise packages, combining fearless attacking football with the clinical finishing of Erling Haaland, who has scored four goals in his first two World Cup appearances. However, Stale Solbakken's side now face their toughest examination yet against a French team brimming with quality and confidence.
Les Bleus have cruised through their opening two matches, scoring six times without ever appearing to hit top gear. Kylian Mbappe has once again taken centre stage, while the creative influence of Michael Olise and the depth of Didier Deschamps' squad underline why France remain among the favourites for global glory. With momentum, pride and first place at stake, an entertaining contest looks guaranteed.
Norway vs France Best Bet
Recommended Bet: France -1
Best Odds: 21/20 (Bet365)
Advised Stake: 1pt
France have looked every bit like World Cup contenders through their opening two matches, scoring six goals and conceding just once while winning both games comfortably. A 3-1 victory over Senegal was followed by a dominant 3-0 success against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola all making significant attacking contributions.
While Norway arrive with six points from six, there are still major questions surrounding their defensive level. Their World Cup wins have come against Iraq and Senegal, but they conceded in both matches and have allowed 27 shots across their first two games. Senegal exposed them repeatedly in a 3-2 defeat, creating enough chances to score twice and threaten throughout.
Looking beyond this tournament, Norway's defence has often struggled when stepping up in class. Against stronger attacking nations such as the Netherlands, Morocco in friendlies, they have looked vulnerable, and they now face arguably the most talented attacking unit in international football. The likes of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Olise and Barcola possess far greater pace, movement and finishing quality than anything Norway have encountered so far.
Norway's aggressive style also plays into France's hands. Stale Solbakken's side like to push their full-backs high and attack in numbers, but that approach leaves space behind the defence. France are one of the most ruthless transition teams in world football and have the players to exploit those gaps repeatedly.
Michael Olise has already provided three assists in the tournament, while Mbappe has scored four goals in two games. With Norway conceding three goals to far less potent opponents and facing a significant step up in quality here, France should create plenty of chances.
BetTom
Who is favourite to win Norway vs France?
France are clear 13/20 (Ladbrokes) favourites to top Group I with a victory over Norway, while the Scandinavians are priced at 4/1 (AKbets) and the draw is 19/5 (AKbets).
The odds reflect the gulf in attacking quality between the sides, with Les Bleus scoring six goals in their opening two matches and boasting a frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola. Norway have also won both games, but their defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, having conceded three goals and allowed 27 shots against Iraq and Senegal.
Norway vs France Bet Builder Tip
- Michael Olise Anytime Assist
- David Möller Wolfe 2+ Tackles
- France to Win
Best price 6/1 (SpreadEX) at the time of publishing.
Michael Olise Anytime Assist
- Olise has already assisted three of France's six goals in this World Cup, directly contributing to 50% of their scoring output.
- He has 0.42 and 0.95 xA in his first two games.
- His club numbers are elite. He registered 19 Bundesliga assists and six Champions League assists for Bayern Munich this season.
- Norway's attacking approach leaves space in behind. They have conceded three goals in two games and have allowed 27 shots, more than they have produced themselves.
- France's frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola gives Olise multiple high-quality targets for chance creation.
- Even if Didier Deschamps rotates, France's attacking depth remains exceptional and Olise has been identified as the creative hub of the side.
David Möller Wolfe 2+ Tackles
- David Möller Wolfe Tackles: 1, 1, 1, 0, 4, 2, 0, 2,
- Left Back tackles against France this tournament: 4,2.
- David Moller comes up against Michael Olise here who has attempted the most dribbles in this French side so far.
- He has also been dispossessed the most times in the French side so far - a consequence of his direct agressive style of attacking.
- There should be plenty of opportunity here for David Möller Wolfe to make tackles in a tough match up.
France to Win
- Norway’s defence has been heavily exposed statistically: They have conceded 27 opposition shots across two matches,
- Defensive issues persist even in wins: Norway have conceded 3 goals in 2 matches, including a 3-2 win over Senegal, where they still allowed chances and were visibly opened up despite winning the game.
- Norway have not yet faced an attack close to France’s. Their defensive record came against Iraq and Senegal, whereas France represent arguably the most complete attacking unit in the tournament.
- Struggles against higher-level attacks are already evident: Even in broader sample performances (friendlies and stronger opposition like Netherlands, Morocco, and Senegal), Norway’s defence has shown vulnerability when pressed by elite attacking sides.
- Norway’s high-risk style creates space for France: Their attacking approach and advanced full-backs leave gaps in transition, which suits France’s fast, vertical attacking style.
Norway vs France Player Prop Bet
Recommended Bet: Erlign Haaland 2+ Fouls
Best Odds: 11/4 (Paddy Power)
Advised Stake: 0.5pts
Erling Haaland has committed 2+ fouls in both games so far this tournament and comes up against William Saluba and Dayot Upamecano.
Erling Haaland Fouls Committed for Norway: 2, 2, 0, 0, 2.
This could be a tough game for the Norway forward who should spend most of the game without the ball.
Norway vs France Predicted Lineups
Norway predicted lineup: Ørjan Nyland; Marcus Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, David Møller Wolfe; Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, Fredrik Aursnes; Alexander Sørloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa.
France predicted lineup: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué; Kylian Mbappé.
Norway vs France Match Prediction
Norway have already secured their place in the last 32 after following up their 4-1 win over Iraq with a 3-2 victory against Senegal, a result that marked their first knockout-stage qualification at a World Cup for 28 years. Haaland scored twice in that Senegal win, taking his tournament tally to four goals, but Norway coach Ståle Solbakken has also suggested he may manage workloads carefully with the knockout rounds already guaranteed.
France are also safely through after back-to-back wins, and Les Bleus only need a draw to finish top of Group I thanks to their stronger goal difference. Mbappé has matched Haaland’s fast start with four goals in his first two games, while his brace against Iraq moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 career World Cup goals.
This should still carry plenty of edge given the Haaland vs Mbappé subplot and the prize of winning the group, but France look better equipped to control the key moments. Norway have enough attacking quality to trouble them, especially through Haaland, Ødegaard and Sørloth, but France’s greater depth and balance should make the difference.
Prediction: Norway 1-2 France
