Republic of Ireland are set for the fourth fixture of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign as they travel to Paris to take on France.
They will take on the FIFA 2022 World Cup finalists at the Parc des Princes with kick-off at 7.45pm (8.45pm local time) this evening. The game is to be televised live on RTÉ2.
Northern Ireland travel to Slovenia looking to bounce back from three narrow 1-0 wins and secure their second win of the group stage.
Stephen Kenny’s side also suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against France in March, as Mike Maignon denied Nathan Collins’ brilliant header in the final moments.
Ireland are set to be backed by a strong 1700+ traveling support as they hold hope of what would be a famous result and a much-needed one in the quest to qualify for UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany next year.
Evan Ferguson has been ruled out of both matches against France and the Netherlands following an assessment from the Ireland medical team and has returned home. Matt Doherty is suspended and Seamus Coleman is also out with injury.
John Egan, who suffered a knock whilst in action for Sheffield United at the weekend, has been confirmed fit to play whilst Caoimhin Kelleher sat out the final training session before the match.
“I don’t look at it like that (in terms of being unlucky),” said Kenny speaking at his final pre-match press conference in Paris.
“I’m very privileged to manage the Ireland team, I always have been. We’re obviously missing a number of players, five attacking players in particular, Michael Obafemi, Evan Ferguson, Callum Robinson, Troy Parrott and Mikey Johnston.”
“But, it gives other players the opportunity to play and that must be embraced. Over the last few years, we’ve given 18 players their debut and because of that, we’ve got an extended pool of players to pick from and one of them can now step up.”
“We’re excited about the game, some people don’t give us much of a chance but we’ve got a firm belief in ourselves and we give ourselves every chance.”
France v Republic of Ireland STAT PACK
- -France are unbeaten in their last eight matches against the Republic of Ireland (W5 D3) since losing 3-2 in a World Cup qualifier in October 1981.
- Republic of Ireland are winless in their last seven away games against France (D3 L4) since a 2-0 win in a friendly in May 1937 (as FAI) with goals from Jackie Brown and Davy Jordan.
- France have lost just one of their last 23 European Championship qualifying matches (W18 D4), a 2-0 away defeat at Turkey in June 2019.
- Their last home defeat was against Belarus in September 2010, winning nine and drawing two on home soil since.
- Following their 3-0 win over Gibraltar in June, Republic of Ireland are looking for consecutive wins in competitive internationals for the first time since March 2019.
- Only Austria (76) have had more in this European Championship qualifying campaign than France (74), with Les Bleus having 51 shots from inside the box, the most of any nation.
- Excluding play-offs, each of Republic of Ireland’s last nine victories in European Championship qualifying have been against teams beginning with ‘G’ (5 v Gibraltar, 3 v Georgia, 1 v Germany). They’re winless in their last nine against nations beginning with any other letter, since beating Armenia 2-1 in 2011.
- Kylian Mbappé has been involved in 15 goals in his last 10 starts for France (12 goals, 3 assists), although he is yet to score in two appearances against the Republic of Ireland, having six shots without success.
