France

France begin their Group A campaign against Romania at Stade de France on Friday, June 10 and despite the absence of several key players, including Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane, are long odds-on (2/7 with bet365.com) to making a winning start.

France, of course, qualified automatically for  Euro 2016 as the host nation so, instead of a qualifying campaign, played home and away matches against the five teams in qualifying Group I. They won seven, drew two and lost just one of those matches and, if those results had been taken into account, would have won Group I with 23 points, two points ahead of Portugal. “Les Blues” needed a superb last-minute free kick from Dimitri Payet to beat Cameroon 3-2 in their penultimate warm-up game, but rounded off their preparations with a comfortable 3-0 win against Scotland to underline their credentials as tournament favourites.

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Romania

Romania qualified for Euro 2016 unbeaten, winning five and drawing five of their qualifying matches to finish runners-up to Northern Ireland in Group F. In doing so, the established back four of Cristian Sapunaru, Vlad Chiriches, Dragos Grigore and 35-year-old veteran Razvan Rat, conceded just two goals, the least of any team in qualifying. The problem with Romania is their inability to score goals. Bogdan Stancu, Constantin Budescu and right-back Paul Papp contributed two goals apiece in a meagre total of 11 goals in 10 qualifying matches so, while midfielders such as Gabriel Torje and Lucian Sanmartean are likely to create chances, the lack of a ‘fox in the box’ will limit scoring opportunities.

The same criticism can hardly be levelled at France, who can call on the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Dimitri Payet to supplement the consistency of Olivier Giroud in a three-man attack. In fact, France have the best range of quality players in Europe, with an energetic, lively midfield featuring Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba and N’Golo N’Kante. If they do have a weakness, it could be aging full-backs Patrice Evra (35) and Bacary Sagna (33), who are likely to struggle against pace.

France coach Didier Deschamps has settled on a 4-3-3 formation, while his Romanian counterpart Anghel Iordanescu will set his side up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation in an effort to make his side hard to beat. Capable and hard-working though the Romanian players are, there appears to be no plan ‘B’, so don’t expect many tactical changes, even if Romania fall behind early on. Iordanescu has criticised former Internazionale striker Denis Alibec for being overweight, so Florin Andone, who plies his trade with Cordoba in the Segunda Division in Spain, could be first choice for the sole striker position.

Last Matches Between France and Romania

France - Romania match facts to help with online betting

3There have been Under 2.5 goals scored in last 3 matches between France and Romania.

5There have been under 2.5 goals scored in France's last 5 matches in European Championship.

4Romania haven't won their last 4 matches in European Championship.

4There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Romania's last 4 matches in European Championship.

France - Romania Betting Tips

In any case, this appears to be a damage limitation exercise for Romania and, frankly, it’s difficult to see anything other than a routine win for France. Don’t expect Giroud and company to run amok in the way they did in the first half against Scotland, but Draw-France makes no little appeal at 12/5 (3.40) with Bet365 in the Half Time/Full Time market.

Half Time/Full Time - Draw/France 3.40 @ Bet365.com

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