France vs Italy Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds
Find our France vs Italy prediction, lineups, and top betting picks for Friday's UEFA Nations League game. Explore key odds and Same Game Parlay picks now.
Jade Griffiths - October 2, 2026, 12:18 PM EDT
6 minutesFrance vs Italy Game Preview
Competition | UEFA Nations League |
|---|---|
Game Date | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
Game Time | 2:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM PT |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Saint-Denis, Stade de France |
France host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday in a heavyweight UEFA Nations League matchup, and Zinedine Zidane's side go in as clear favorites against a revived Italy.
France have won both outings under Zidane without conceding a goal. Kylian Mbappé is ruled out, but the hosts have enough depth in attack to keep that run going.
Italy recovered in style from a 2-0 home loss to Belgium. Italy ran riot on the road in Türkiye, winning 4-1 and doing most of the damage early.
France sit top of the standings with Italy right behind them in second, which makes this the matchup that could shape the race at the top.
France vs Italy Recent Results
France have opened with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Türkiye and Belgium and have not conceded in either. The game in Brussels was heading for a scoreless finish until Michael Olise came off the bench to win it in the 88th minute. The attack has been efficient rather than explosive, but the defense has done its job.
Italy's start has swung both ways. They lost 2-0 at home to Belgium, then answered by thrashing Türkiye 4-1 on the road. Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni were among the scorers, and the game was effectively over inside the opening half hour. Esposito, set to lead the line again, is the name to watch.
France vs Italy Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
France: K. Mbappé (Injured/out), W. Saliba (Injured/out), I. Konaté (Injured/out), T. Hernández (Injured/out), W. Zaïre-Emery (Injured/out), J. Mateta (Injured/out)
Italy: N. Zaniolo (Injured/out), F. Dimarco (Injured/out), B. Cristante (Injured/out), F. Mane (Injured/out), M. Dagasso (Injured/out), J. Ekhator (Injured/out)
France
Kylian Mbappé's knee tendon problem rules him out for the rest of the international break, and the defense is short too, with Saliba and Konaté both sidelined. Zidane rotated heavily for the game in Belgium, so expect sweeping changes, with Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Rayan Cherki all in line to start.
Italy
Nicolo Zaniolo has left the squad with a muscle injury, and Dimarco and Cristante are also out. Riccardo Calafiori, Nicolo Cambiaghi and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are among those set to be recalled, which reshapes the France vs Italy lineups on the away side.
France vs Italy Predicted Lineup
France
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Rabiot, Camavinga; Olise, Cherki, Doué; Dembélé (probable)
Italy
Formation: 4-3-3 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Frattesi, Tonali; Kean, Esposito, Cambiaghi (probable)
France vs Italy Key Stats & Game Facts
- France have won four of their previous meetings with Italy. Italy took the other two, and none ended in a tie.
France vs Italy Prediction & Best Picks
Our Prediction
Our France vs Italy prediction is a 2-1 home win. Zidane's side have home field, a perfect start and a front line of Olise, Dembélé and Cherki that Italy will struggle to contain for a full game. Italy's attack is in good shape after the rout in Türkiye, so we expect them to find a goal, but France are the right favorite on the moneyline.
Best Picks
Over 2.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. Our France vs Italy best picks start by backing the scoreboard to move, since the projected 2-1 scoreline clears this line with room to spare. Italy just ran riot on the road in Türkiye, and a France attack built around Olise, Dembélé and Cherki gives this game plenty of firepower at both ends.
Yes in the Both Teams To Score market. France have not conceded under Zidane, but Saliba and Konaté are both out here, leaving Upamecano and Lacroix in the middle. Esposito and Kean give Italy enough of a threat to find the net, which fits the projected 2-1.
France vs Italy Same Game Parlay
Our France vs Italy same game parlay picks combine three legs: France on the Moneyline, Ousmane Dembélé to score anytime and both teams to score.
France on the Moneyline. They sit top of the standings, have home field at the Stade de France and have won both outings under Zidane.
Ousmane Dembélé in the Anytime Goalscorer market. With Mbappé out, Dembélé is set to lead the line from the start and gives France their most consistent goal threat.
Yes in the Both Teams To Score market. Italy's attack has real bite right now, so a France win with an Italy goal along the way fits the projection.
At the time of writing, this Same Game Parlay pays a best price of +360 and is as short as +249 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of $11 from best to worst price.
Shop around before locking in your Same Game Parlay using Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.
Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.
France vs Italy Talking Points
Friday marks Zinedine Zidane's first home game at the Stade de France as France manager, and a third straight win would keep his tenure perfect. Italy's response in Türkiye showed this side can hurt anyone when they start fast. The France vs Italy betting odds have Italy at +600 (Bet365), which feels about right for a road team facing hosts who have yet to concede.
France vs Italy Predictions FAQs
When is the France vs Italy game?
The France vs Italy game kicks off at 2:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM PT on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Where is the France vs Italy game being played?
The game will be played at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
What are the projected lineups for France vs Italy?
France is expected to line up with Maignan, Truffert, Lacroix, Upamecano, Koundé, Rabiot, Camavinga, Doué, Cherki, Olise, and Dembélé. Italy's probable lineup features Donnarumma, Calafiori, Bastoni, Scalvini, Di Lorenzo, Tonali, Frattesi, Barella, Cambiaghi, Esposito, and Kean.
What is the latest team news for France vs Italy?
France will be without Kylian Mbappé due to a knee tendon problem, while Italy is missing Nicolò Zaniolo due to a muscle injury.
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