Despite losing five potential first-choice players to injury, France have started with two wins. They fell behind against Australia after just nine minutes but powered back to run out comfortable 4-1 winners. On Matchday 2, two Kylian Mbappé goals were enough to see off Denmark. France have been good value for their six points, with Expected Goals showing an edge of 6.9 to 1.42 over their first two opponents. The win against Denmark meant that Les Bleus have now won six World Cup Finals games in a row for the first time. After a creditable goalless draw with Denmark, Tunisia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Australia. However, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story, as Tunisia enjoyed 58% of the possession, had four shots on target to Australia’s two, and Expected Goals favoured them by 1.26 to 0.58.

Having promised to play a back four from now on, coach Didier Deschamps was true to his word, as he opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the second game in a row. Tunisia also has a settled system, employing a 3-4-2-1 set-up. Oliver Giroud looks set to start up front for France, once more, and needs one goal to become France’s all-time leading goalscorer. That said, the way Golden Boot candidate Mbappé is going, Giroud may find it’s not long before he is overtaken by his young teammate. This will be the sixth meeting between these two teams, with Tunisia’s only win coming way back in 1971. A repeat performance is the only thing that will keep The Eagles of Carthage in with a chance of a first appearance in the last 16. France have already qualified and a win, or a draw, will see them top Group D .