France vs Romania – Low-scoring draw plausible in Paris
Published:Romania have been known to like a good draw, but France will need to take the three points from their showdown if they want to wrestle control at the head of Group D.
Despite being the top seeds in the group, France started with a surprise defeat at home to Belarus to put them on the back foot, but they have since bounced back with a good win in Bosnia.
France have also been fortuitous in the fact that fellow group favourites Romania have drawn their opening two games, meaning that it is underdogs Albania that lead the way.
As well as drawing their first two Group D clashes, Romania have also claimed a point from their last three meetings with France, with one coming during the group stages of the Euro 2008 finals and the other pair in qualifying for this year’s World Cup.
It is 13/5 that France and Romania play out another draw, but Laurent Blanc will be looking for maximum points from the encounter.
France have only ever lost once in seven meetings at home to Romania and are 4/7 to win this year.
The earliest goal scored in a game featuring either of the two teams in the group has been in the 72nd minute, meaning that a tight game is likely.
It is 5/4 that no goals are scored in the first half of the clash, while the 15/8 on offer for under 1.5 goals in the match could prove profitable.
Albania are 7/4 to beat Bosnia in Group D, but they will have to do so without coach Josep Kuze, who has been hospitalised following a stroke.
Meanwhile, Belarus have taken four points off the best-rated two teams in the group and should have no trouble winning in Luxembourg at 2/9.
France remain the 8/13 favourites to top Group D despite currently being a point behind Albania and Belarus. See the complete Group D winners betting odds market.
