France welcome Ukraine to the Parc des Princes on Thursday night in a UEFA World Cup Qualifier that could have a major impact at the top of Group A.
The hosts, currently unbeaten and leading the group, are looking to cement their dominance against a Ukrainian side who have struggled defensively but remain dangerous in attack. Kick-off is set for 13 November 2025, with both sides keen to make a statement as qualifying heats up.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on France’s dominant possession game, defensive solidity, and Ukraine’s tendency to concede, our top recommendations focus on a home win and related markets. We’re particularly confident in France to win, given their statistical superiority and clean sheet record.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| France to Win | 1/6 @ Betfair (85.7%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | France unbeaten, best defence in group, beat Ukraine 2-0 away. |
| Both Teams To Score – No | 8/13 @ Betfred (61.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Ukraine failed to score in last H2H, France 2 clean sheets in 4. |
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
- Fantastic Promotions
- Fun Social Media Content
- New Bookmaker
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
- Enhanced Offers
- Request A Bet Feature
- Vast selection of sports markets
#AD 18+ New customers only. £10 minimum deposit. First single, e/w or multiples bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens for Football BuildABets only. 2 x £10 bet tokens for Football Accas only. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets are non-withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 7 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
Season Form & Standings
France top Group D and know that a win in this game will secure their passage to the World Cup. Ukraine sit in second place, three points behind France and will look for a positive result before their all-important decider against Iceland.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 10 |
| Ukraine | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | +1 | 7 |
Potential Match-Winners
While neither team boasts a player among the tournament’s top scorers or assist leaders, France’s Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike and Christopher Nkunku headline a deep attacking pool that has generated 177 touches in the opposition box – over 44 per match. France’s creative playmakers average 15 big chances created, though their conversion rate remains only moderate (13 missed). For Ukraine, Viktor Tsyhankov and Artem Dovbyk are the main threats, with Ukraine splitting their eight goals across several players and boasting a 42.4% shot accuracy rate (ahead of France’s 39.7%).
Head-to-Head: Last Meeting
France have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning the only group-stage match so far this campaign without conceding. Previous encounters have seen the teams share the points in their only two other competitive meetings.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 05/09/25 | Ukraine 0-2 France | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| 04/09/21 | Ukraine 1-1 France | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| 24/03/21 | France 1-1 Ukraine | UEFA World Cup Qualifiers |
| 07/10/20 | France 7-1 Ukraine | International Friendly |
Conclusion
Will France’s control and defensive record see them extend their unbeaten run, or can Ukraine’s clinical touch in front of goal spring a surprise? The hosts look justified favourites, blending top-tier possession play with a knack for restricting opposition chances. Expect France to dominate, but as ever in qualifying, a clinical Ukraine attack can punish lapses. Our top pick remains France to win at 1/6 @ Betfair (85.7%).
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.