- France have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including their last two away games
- France have won each of their last two matches with a 3-1 scoreline, including against Northern Ireland in their opening World Cup game
- Norway have three points at the top of Group I after thumping Iraq 4-1 in their opener
Haaland's Norway can hold their own
Norway and France both look well capable of making it through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup after making positive starts to their 2026 campaigns. Les Bleus are the favourites to win on Friday, but Norway's Norway have the momentum and talent to make this game very interesting.
Norway have won two, drawn two and lost one of their five most recent fixtures in all competitions, but they did impress in their first Group I game against Morocco and their second fixture was a dominant display against Iraq. Philippe Clement has installed a compact, counter-attacking system that prioritises getting men behind the ball quickly and utilising Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard's pace on the counter.
Norway are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation that they have used often since Clement took charge in November 2025 and they are extremely tough to break down. Haaland has scored twice in one World Cup group game already and Norway have so much attacking talent that they can cause France problems on the attack.
France, however, have a little more quality all over the pitch and the depth to overcome a disciplined Norway team. Didier Deschamps has maintained his pragmatism since taking the helm in 2012, but he has also opened up his tactics recently with France playing a more free-flowing attacking system.
Les Bleus star power to win the day
France will operate from a 4-2-3-1 base, but the two deep-lying midfielders provide a platform for the attack to play in a fluid system with Mbappe playing at the point of the attacking triangle. Adrien Rabiot is dictating the tempo of this side and provided a goal assist in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal in their World Cup opener, while Kylian Mbappe has scored two goals in his first appearance in Group I.
A France win is the standout selection here with France listed at 1.82 compared to 4.2 for Norway and 3.8 for the draw. France are the better side and have superior quality in most positions, but Norway have more momentum and will provide a stern test in this clash of styles at Boston Stadium.
Over 2.5 goals is a shade of odds at 1.87, but we believe France's quality should see them through in this match that will be the talk of the tournament after the group stage.
