IRELAND clash with World Cup finalists France in their European Championship 2024 qualifier on Thursday.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and sign-up bonuses for the showdown at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

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France vs Ireland preview

A difficult assignment lies ahead for Stephen Kenny’s Ireland against the world’s No.2 ranked side at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

France have clearly recovered from their demoralising World Cup final defeat to Argentina having won their last four on the spin.

Les Blues have beaten Holland, Ireland, Gibraltar and Greece without conceding a single goal, and lead Group B by six points with a +9 goal difference.

The pair last met in March with France winning 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium courtesy of Benjamin Pavard’s second-half strike, but Ireland did themselves justice that evening.

They actually had more efforts at goal (11) while limiting their opponents to just three shots on target in 90 minutes.

The Irish sit third in the group, having lost away to Greece in June, and points of any kind would go a long way towards snatching that all-important second-placed finish ahead of Greece and Holland.

But a tough task has been made even tougher with news that superstar striker Even Ferguson has been ruled out after sustaining a knee injury after scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle in the Premier League.

France vs Ireland odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

France vs Ireland betting tips

Can’t stop Kylian…

Guess what? Kylian Mbappe is looking unstoppable again this season. Big surprise.

The France forward, 24, has started the season with five goals in three appearances, including back-to-back braces against Lyon and Lens. The World Cup winner has 40 goals in 70 games for France, and has already bagged four in EURO 2024 qualification – once as the first goalscorer.

France are on an 11-game unbeaten run on French soil, and have scored in the opening 30 minutes in seven of their last eight EURO qualifying matches.

• Our verdict: Kylian Mbappe first goalscorer at 21/10 with Paddy Power – CLAIM HERE

One, two or three…

No Evan Ferguson, no party.

As mentioned, Didier Deschamps’s side have managed FIVE clean sheets in their last SIX matches in all competitions, giving up less than 10 shots on target during that run.

Since stalwart Hugo Lloris retired from international football, goalkeeper Mike Maignan has not conceded a single goal in three starts for France.

The AC Milan stopper will expect another on Thursday with Ireland having failed to score against France in five of their last seven meetings, and the absence of Ferguson.

• Our verdict: France to win 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 at 6/5 with Paddy Power – CLAIM HERE

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