Our prediction for this Nations League match:
France and Israel face each other at Stade de France in what is expected to be a David-vs-Goliath clash. Les Parisiens are eyeing their fourth consecutive win of the process and they are seen as hot favourites to win Thursday’s clash. Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni serves a one-game ban, while Real Madrid ace Kylian Mbappe has been omitted. As a result, PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
The Israelis, on the other hand, do not seem to be competitive in this edition of the Nations League, losing each of their four group games. As the rock-bottom side have little to play for in Thursday’s encounter, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. A man to watch in the away team will be Leeds United ace Manor Solomon, who is back to the squad. Crvena Zvezda goalkeeper Omri Glazer has been ruled out with injury.
Highlighted Player (Antoine Griezmann):
Anthony Griezmann is a French forward born on 21st March 1991 in Macon, and he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting footballers at the moment. The pacey striker started showing his potential shortly after coming through Real Sociedad’s youth academy and he went on to score 46 goals in 179 league appearances for La Real. Excellent displays in Spanish la Liga saw him become a target for a number of top clubs, but he eventually choose to sign for Atletico Madrid, and that proved to be a very good decision.
Griezmann continued the rich vein of form at Vicente Calderon, scoring some important goals as los Colchoneros enjoyed domestic and European success, while also becoming a key member of the France national team.
Playing as a winger or second striker, Griezmann possesses impressive technical skills, he is a strong finisher and still finds time to work hard for his side, so no wonder he is widely regarded as one of the leading forwards on the continent. He won the U19 European Championship with France and is tipped to lead Les Bleus to glory on senior level as well.
Highlighted Team (Israel):
Israel are the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine national football team. The Israelis received full UEFA membership in 1994, 20 years after leaving AFC and they have been facing European sides in the World Cup qualifiers ever since. Israel participated at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, but they failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
The Israeli national football team have yet to qualify for the final stages of the European Championship, but they made it to the quarter-finals of the Olympics on two occasions (1968, 1976). Israel play their home games at both Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.
Yossi Benayoun is the most famous and the most capped Israeli footballer and it has to be noted that the pacey midfielder played for the likes of Racing Santander, West Ham United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the past. Israel play their home games in blue shirts and blue shorts, whilst they wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels.