Ukraine vs France Prediction 05.09.2025


Ukraine vs France Prediction
Ukraine vs France Prediction and Betting Tips for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Wroclaw. The clash marks the beginning of a new campaign for both sides, and you’ll also find insights from our World Cup Predictions experts at XpertStats.
- France begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Ukraine in Wroclaw on Friday night.
- Didier Deschamps enters what could be his final journey as France manager.
- Ukraine have beaten France only once in 12 meetings, but remain tricky opponents.
- Both teams come in with contrasting recent form and plenty to prove.
For France, this isn’t just another qualifier. It’s the start of Didier Deschamps’ last ride as national coach, with his contract set to expire after next summer’s finals in North America. The Nations League semi-final heartbreak against Spain in June still lingers, but France bounced back with a third-place win over Germany. They’ve been consistent against top opposition, and with Mbappé and Dembele fit to start, Les Bleus arrive as clear favorites. But can they truly dominate away from home, even on neutral Polish soil?
Ukraine, meanwhile, come into this one with their usual mix of resilience and heartbreak. The Euro 2024 exit still stings, where four points weren’t enough to escape the group stage. Since then, results have been patchy a 4-2 loss to Canada followed by a slim 2-1 win over New Zealand tells the story of inconsistency. Sergiy Rebrov knows that automatic qualification is a tall order, but beating France here would change everything. The question is: do they have enough firepower?
Injuries have not helped Ukraine’s cause. Andriy Lunin is sidelined, leaving Trubin to step in between the posts. The defense will lean on milestone men Zabarnyi and Mykolenko, both reaching 50 caps this week. Zinchenko remains the heartbeat of the midfield, while Dovbyk looks to rediscover form after his club struggles. They’ll need every ounce of discipline to keep France at bay, especially with Deschamps’ side boasting one of the deepest attacking units in Europe.
France have their own absentees, with William Saliba and Rayan Cherki both missing, but the squad depth is frightening. Hugo Ekitike and Maghnes Akliouche could even make their debuts, adding fresh hunger. With Maignan in goal and Mbappé leading the line, France have both the steel and flair to get the job done. History favors them too: unbeaten in their last seven matches against Ukraine, they’ll want nothing less than three points. That’s why this match feels like more than just a qualifier it’s a statement game. Bold? Maybe. But it’s hard to bet against them.
Whatever happens, this clash has all the makings of a tense night in Wroclaw. Ukraine will fight for their moment, but France have the pedigree, the momentum, and the motivation. Expect goals, expect drama, and maybe even a surprise twist along the way. It’s the perfect way to open the road to 2026 a stage where the giants of Europe prove once again why they rarely miss the big dance. For those following the betting markets, keep an eye on France’s track record. When the lights are brightest, Les Bleus usually shine.

France have the upper hand historically, with just one loss to Ukraine in 12 meetings. Their squad depth is unmatched, even with William Saliba sidelined. Mbappé, Dembele, and Thuram offer blistering pace, while Maignan anchors a solid defense. Ukraine’s struggles in big qualifiers are well-documented, with three playoff failures in their last four World Cup attempts. Recent friendlies exposed defensive gaps conceding four to Canada is worrying against France’s firepower. Add in the neutral venue in Poland, which removes Ukraine’s usual home advantage, and it tips further in Les Bleus’ favor. Deschamps’ men also arrive with momentum after securing third in the Nations League. Ukraine may fight hard, but France’s ability to find goals from multiple sources should see them through. The difference in quality across both benches is stark. For punters, France to win looks not only logical but the safest play here.
This matchup has goals written all over it. France’s last five matches have seen at least two goals scored, including the 5-4 semi-final thriller with Spain. Their attack, led by Mbappé, rarely fires blanks, and Ukraine’s defense has shown cracks, conceding four against Canada and three against Belgium. Even their Nations League playoff saw seven goals across two legs. Ukraine themselves can contribute, with Dovbyk and Tsygankov capable of striking on the break. The neutral setting in Wroclaw removes some pressure, often leading to a more open game. Historically, meetings between these two sides also back the pick: the 7-1 friendly win in 2020 and back-to-back 1-1 draws in World Cup qualifying. Given France’s firepower and Ukraine’s knack for both scoring and conceding, it’s hard to see this staying low-scoring. Over 1.5 goals looks like a reliable bet for those seeking value without overcomplication.
