Euro 2016 preview and odds: France vs Romania

Published on: 10/06/2016

Euro 2016 preview and odds: France vs Romania

Stade de France - June 10, 2016

Group stage - Group A

The 2016 European Championships will get underway on Friday June 10 when the host nation takes on Group A rivals Romania at the Stade de France.

Hosts to get Euro party started

Host nation France will kick off their UEFA EURO 2016 campaign against nation that has proved to be a tricky opponent in recent meetings. Four of the last five competitive matches between the two teams have ended in a draw, although France did get the better of them with a 1-0 win at the 1996 European championships in England. Their last meeting in the competition (EURO 2008) ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

As always, the opening match gives the home nation the chance to set the tone for the rest of the tournament, something that Didier Deschamps touched upon in his press conference. With many now tipping France as likely winners, the pressure will be on Les Bleus to prove their credentials. With names such as Griezmann, Pogba, Payet and Giroud in the line-up, they will certainly be expected to win this curtain-raiser.

Romania may not have the star names but they do have a strong defence and some capable forward players. In fact, they have been beaten just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, despite their previous tight meetings against the hosts, it should be pointed out that they have never beaten France in a competitive match, and this will be the first time that they have appeared in the opening match of a tournament.

When the teams met at this stadium in 2009 for a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, the game finished 1-1. They met again here in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying match, in which a Laurent Blanc-led France won by a 2-0 margin.

Form (all competitions):

France: WWWWLWWWWW

Romania: WLDDWDWDDD

Betting predictions

Romania have yet to win their first fixture in any EURO tournament and will be starting this game as massive underdogs. Their last tournament finals victory came against England back in 2000. However, they will be keen to cause problems for a French side that will be feeling the weight of expectations of a nation on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, France can be vulnerable at the back and could ship a goal in this game.

You can back France to win and Both Teams to Score at 3/1 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 10/06/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (10/06/2016 17:14:58) but are subject to change.