France Women vs Canada Women prediction: Off-field issues clouding tournament for champions
The women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympics continues with hosts France taking on defending champions Canada on Sunday at 8pm (UK time).
France Women vs Canada Women prediction: Off-field issues clouding tournament for champions
France Women vs Canada Women latest prediction
A battle between the hosts and defending gold medallists, this game could also decide top spot in Group A. Both France and Canada started their Olympics campaign with victories by one goal.
France were 3-0 up against Colombia but eventually held on to a 3-2 win, with Mayra Ramirez sent off for the South American side. Canada, meanwhile, came from behind to beat New Zealand thanks to goals from Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens.
But hardly anyone will have been paying attention to what was going on on the pitch in that game. Canada’s tournament has been embroiled in controversy, and there was a chance they may not have been allowed to compete. Before Canada’s opening game, news broke that their assistant coach and an unaccredited analyst were sent home by the Canadian Olympic Committee after two incidents of drones being used to spy on New Zealand’s training sessions.
Canada were reported by New Zealand to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit and the local police. Canada women’s manager, Bev Priestman, stepped aside for their opening game against New Zealand and it was believed that she didn’t know of the incident.
However, further reports have now emerged surrounding historic spying on opposition training sessions, including those happening behind closed doors. According to the reports, this also includes the Tokyo Olympics where Canada took gold, beating Sweden in the final. Another incident came when Canada were about to face Panama in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
As a result, Priestman — who was assistant manager to Phil Neville at England — has been suspended as Canada manager for the remainder of the Olympics.
Assistant manager Andy Spence will take charge of Canada for their game against France and the rest of the tournament, before a decision is made on Priestman.
France take on Canada in their 2024 Olympics group stage match on Sunday 28th July at 8pm, held at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto has had rotten luck when it comes to major tournaments, but she’s at the 2024 Olympics and that’s bad news for opposition defences. She wasn’t selected for the 2019 World Cup, a shock call, and missed Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup through injury.
She’s making up for lost time, with two goals in France’s win over Colombia. That comes after 11 goals and six assists in 16 starts in the Division 1 Feminine for PSG last season.
France Women team news
With an 18-player squad, there is less choice for Herve Renard and it feels like we know his first-choice starting XI. Katoto leads the line ahead of Eugenie Le Sommer, with Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani flanking her. Maelle Lakrar got the nod over Eve Perisset on the right side of the defence, with Sakina Karchaoui picked over Salma Bacha on the left. Bacha was on the receiving end of a tough tackle from Mayra Ramirez after coming off the bench.
Canada Women team news
Canada utilised a back three against New Zealand, which allowed Gabrielle Carle and Ashley Lawrence to push higher up the pitch in attack. The back three consisted off Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles and Jade Rose. Cloe Lacasse, Nichelle Prince and Adriana Leon were the front three, but Jordyn Huitema will be hoping she can push for a start.
France Women vs Canada Women head-to-head
France have won their pat three games against Canada, since a 1-0 defeat in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Olympics.
France Women vs Canada Women H2H | |||||||
Date | Score | Ground | |||||
11/04/23 | France Women 2-1 Canada Women | Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans | |||||
04/03/20 | France Women 1-0 Canada Women | Stade de l’Epopee, Calais | |||||
09/04/18 | France Women 1-0 Canada Women | Roazhon Park, Rennes | |||||
12/08/16 | Canada Women 1-0 France Women | Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo | |||||
23/07/16 | France Women 1-0 Canada Women | Stade de l’Abbe Deschamps, Paris | |||||
09/04/15 | France Women 1-0 Canada Women | Stade Robert Bobin, Boundoufle |
How to watch France Women vs Canada Women live
France Women vs Canada Women will be broadcast live on Sunday 28th July at 8pm, on Discovery+.
BetMGM sign-up offer: Get £40 in bonuses when you bet £10
Not signed up to BetMGM yet? Here's how eligible readers* can take advantage of their welcome offer:
- Open an account at BetMGM using this link.
- Select the Sports Welcome Offer.
- Get the offer from the ‘My Offers’ page.
- Deposit and place a £10 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater.
- When it settles, unlock £40 in bonuses
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 1 x £10 Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.