France v England: Low-scoring affair awaits in Paris

After a dramatic 2-2 draw with Scotland on Saturday, England will round off their year with a friendly versus France.

The fixture offers boss Gareth Southgate the chance to try a few new options against top-line opposition in Paris, with the World Cup just 12 months away.

We make England 16/5, with Didier Deschamps’ hosts 20/23 favourites and the draw 23/10.

Les Bleus will be eager to bounce back after Hugo Lloris gifted Sweden a stoppage-time winner on Friday.

It means they remain locked in a battle with the Swedes for top spot in their qualifying group, while England remain very in control of theirs after a 2-2 draw with the Scots.

So Deschamps will be eager to ensure France return to winning ways, especially on home soil.

But with England losing just four of their last 39 fixtures, everything points to a curtain-closing draw.

And a low-scoring one at that.

Nine of the last 11 meetings between these historic nations have seen under 2.5 goals scored.

It’s 4/6 we see two or fewer strikes netted, with 19/10 on under 1.5.

A 0-0 stalemate is 15/2, but 1-1 looks far more appealing at 11/2.

As for who does score, Kylian Mbappe is sure to be a popular selection.

All eyes are on the Monaco wonderkid, who came off the bench late on against Sweden.

We’re 11/2 Mbappe scores first at the Stade Denis, and 2/1 anytime.

Harry Kane grabbed England’s late leveller at Hampden Park, and the Tottenham forward is 13/2 to put the Three Lions ahead, and 12/5 anytime.

But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the value pick. The Arsenal man continued his fine end to the year with a well-taken opener on Saturday, and could be rewarded with a start.

The winger is a handy 16/1 to score first, and 6/1 anytime.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing