Haaland, Mbappe face off in Norway-France
Two of the best strikers in the world will be on the same field when Norway takes on France, with the winner taking Group I at the World Cup.
Video Transcript
Well, Jay, we got a treat for match day three in Group I.
We have a battle between Norway and France for all of the chips in Group I. this ultimately may not be, an especially great reward as you will go into the top half of the draw, presumably with Spain, and maybe a f- you know, a s- a, second round matchup against Germany, which, ultimately could change some of the, kind of incentives for this matchup.
But, I'm excited because we get to see the two best strikers in the world, with Haaland versus, Mbappe, and both have put on a show so far in this World Cup.
So this match is going to be awesome.
right now Norway on the three-way money line is plus 400.
France is minus 160 and draw is plus 340.
This feels a little bit disrespectful to Norway.
I know their defense hasn't been great, but do you give them a chance here?
I think they certainly have a chance.
Think they're a pretty high upside team game to game just because of the attacking firepower that they have anchored around, obviously Erling Haaland and, Martin Odegaard pulling the strings, in midfield.
To your point about the draw, it is interesting.
It is sort of It's kinda much ado about nothing because, the second round matchup, for these teams, the first place finisher, to your point, will get Germany likely in the second rounds, and the second place finisher gets Brazil likely in the second round.
I think those teams are similar standard.
and then the round of 32 matchup should be pretty similar as well.
Now, a draw for France will win them the group, because of Senegal scoring a late consolation goal against Norway which actually tipped the scales entirely there.
I would lean France here just because, I think that Norway are very defensively suspect.
Particularly saw that, in the first game that they played.
they are very open defensively.
They have a lot of firepower, but I don't think they have a ton, of defensive cohesion.
Norway also are a great example of how a lot of these international teams, they just have to shove the talent into the lineup, and you're just beholden to the best players who happen to, have your passport, tend to be.
And so guys like Alexander Sorloth is playing on a wing.
He's not a winger.
He is a penalty box striker.
But Erling Haaland plays there, so he's just gotta go on a wing even though it's not his position.
So I think against the firepower that France have, with their just incredible front three, front four, really with, Michel Aissa playing behind the front three or Ousmane Dembele working in there, I think that ultimately France are just gonna score too much for the Norwegians to keep up.
