Day 3 of the UEFA Euro 2024 will see two fixtures take place, the first between Austria and France at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, and the second between Turkey and Georgia at Signal Iduna Park.
Match 1: Austria v France | 12:30 am IST | June 18
This match between Austria and France is certainly a mouth-watering clash, despite the 2018 World Cup winners coming into this game as favourites. Ralf Rangnick’s men are more than capable of putting together a display that could upset the opposition, likely to set up in a traditional 4-2-3-1 system with two holding midfielders to protect the back four. The likes of Christophe Baumgartner, Marcel Sabitzer, and Konrad Laimer will be the difference-makers in the attacking areas of the pitch.
On the other hand, France come into this competition as hot favourites to win it, with Kylian Mbappé leading the way. Although Olivier Giroud is travelling with Les Bleus, the 37-year-old is likely to be used as a Plan B off the bench, which could see Mbappé playing as a central striker. France have quality all around the pitch, and young centre-back William Saliba is coming into the Euros on the back of another successful season at Arsenal. Expect the French to keep most of the ball in this game and dominate proceedings.
Team News
The biggest setback for Austria in terms of team news is the absence of the experienced David Alaba, who picked up an injury during the course of the 2023/24 season at Real Madrid. They’re also without striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who picked up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in February this year.
As for France, they’ve also got their fair share of injuries. Lucas Hernandez has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan has also endured his fair share of troubles on the fitness front this campaign. However, he was present for the team’s latest friendly against Canada and will be expected to start in goal.
Aurélien Tchouaméni is another worry for France after the midfielder missed Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund due to injury. He failed to appear for France against Canada in their friendly as well.
Form Guide
Austria
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-W-W-W-W
Most recent result: Switzerland 1-1 Austria, Friendly
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group F, with 19 points.
France
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-W-W-L-D
Most recent result: France 0-0 Canada, Friendly
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group B with 22 points
Prediction
France don’t come into this fixture with the best of form, but on paper they look like one of the best teams in the tournament. With Austria missing key figures in their side, it seems highly likely that Les Bleus will walk away from this encounter as winners.
Austria 0-2 France
Fantasy XI
Goalkeeper: Alexander Schlager
Defenders: William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, Théo Hernandez, Kevin Danso
Midfielders: Konrad Laimer, Eduardo Camavinga, Marcel Sabitzer
Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann
Captain: Kylian Mbappé
Vice-captain: Kingsley Coman
Also read: UEFA Euro 2024 Sponsors
Match 2: Turkey v Georgia | 9:30 pm IST | June 18
Turkey are certainly kicking off their campaign with the best draw, facing a Georgia team who are participating in their first major international tournament since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. However, the Turks certainly have some work to do before the start of this competition given their recent form, which has seen them go winless in their last five encounters. Of course, the more experienced Hakan Çalhanoglu will be key to their chances of progressing into the next stage along with his midfield partner Salih Özcan.
Georgia, on the flip side, have nothing to lose heading into this competition. Should they produce a shock result anywhere in this group with Turkey, Portugal, and Czechia, they could give themselves a decent chance of going through. A lot of the eyes will be on the country’s star player and Napoli winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Georgia are often seen employing a three-at-the-back system with two strikers upfront. Do not expect them to have much of the ball in this match.
Team News
There is some unfortunate news for Turkey as far as injuries are concerned. The team will be without the experienced defender Çaglar Söyüncü, who is out with a thigh problem and has not been included in their Euro 2024 squad.
Another player missing from the squad is Bournemouth striker Enes Ünal. The 27-year-old has also pulled out of the tournament due to injury, just like Hoffenheim defender Ozan Kabak. Meanwhile, it all looks well and good for Georgia, about whom not much is known at this level of international football.
Form Guide
Turkey
Form (all competitions, most recent first): L-D-L-L-D
Most recent result: Poland 2-1 Turkey, Friendly
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group D with 17 points
Georgia
Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-W-W-L-D
Most recent result: Montenegro 1-3 Georgia, Friendly
European Qualifying: Through the Euro 2024 qualifying play-off
Prediction
Turkey are certainly the favourties heading into this tie, especially with an inexperienced Georgia team in front of them. Although they aren’t in the best of form, Turkey finished top of their qualifying group and should get off to a winning start.
Turkey 1-0 Georgia
Fantasy XI
Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili
Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakci, Samet Akaydin, Zeki Çelik, Guram Kashia
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoglu, Salih Özcan
Forwards: Kenan Yildiz, Cenk Tosun, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kerem Aktürkoglu
Captain: Cenk Tosun
Vice-captain: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
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