France vs Netherlands EURO 2024 qualifiers - Prediction, Odds, and Pick (March 24)
Initial Thoughts
Les Bleus have a new captain and the Oranje have a new manager as France and Holland begin their journey to EURO 2024 Finals this weekend. World Cup finalists France will enter the game as strong favorites. But could the ‘new manager bounce’ see the Dutch go up a gear and give Deschamps’ men a run for their money at the Stade de France on Saturday?
The Narrative
Kylian Mbappe had to settle for a co-starring role at the winter World Cup . The Frenchman lined up against PSG teammate Messi in the centerpiece of the Qatar tournament in what was widely regarded as the best World Cup final in the history of the competition.
24-year-old Mbappe bagged a hatrick on the day but still came out on the losing end after Messi confirmed his GOAT status and claimed a first World Cup for Argentina since 1986.
But the PSG hitman has been rewarded for that performance, with manager Didier Deschamps handing him the captain’s armband after Hugo Lloris retired from international duty following that disappointment in Qatar.
Deschamps’ position looked precarious in the wake of that World Cup loss, with the rumour mill suggesting Zinedine Zidane was soon to be installed as France’s new head coach. But the move never materialized, leaving Deschamps at the reins as France kick off their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign on Saturday.
The Netherlands do have a new manager though, with Ronald Koeman returning for this second stint in the job.
Koeman left the role for an ill-fated spell at Barcelona back in 2020, and fans hope his return will boost the Dutch side as they prepare to take on a French team they have beaten only once in their last five encounters.
Nuts & Bolts
The Netherlands came out on top in six of their eight qualifying matches for EURO 2020. But in the tournament proper they failed to live up to the hype and suffered a round of 16 exit at the hands of the Czech Republic.
The Dutch will kick off the current qualifying campaign in much better form though, having lost just once in their last 15 matches over 90 minutes.
France’s home form has dipped in the last year, with Nations League defeats to Croatia and Denmark last summer showing the World Cup Finalists CAN be beaten on home soil.
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of NorthStar Bets
The Stade de France isn't the fortress it once was and the ‘new manager bounce’ is real. We think an upset could be in the cards on Saturday.
With the likes of Mbappe, Memphis and Gakpo taking to the field expect two or more goals in this heavyweight class.
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