Ukraine vs France: prediction & betting odds 5 September 2025

The Matchday 5 clash in the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament between Ukraine and France will take place on September 5 at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland. Ukraine vs. France: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Ukraine

In the previous World Cup 2022 qualifying cycle, Ukraine was also in the same group as France. Back then, the team drew both matches against this opponent with a score of 1-1. Ukraine eventually finished second and went into the playoffs for a spot in the World Cup. They defeated Scotland (3-1) but fell short against Wales with a 0-1 loss. Interestingly, Ukraine was the most draw-prone team in the last World Cup qualification, with six draws and two wins.

• No more than two goals were scored in regular time in 11 of Ukraine's last 14 World Cup qualifiers.
• Both teams scored in 8 of Ukraine's last 10 matches in European qualification.
• Ukraine did not concede in the first half in 12 of their last 15 World Cup qualifiers.

Predicted lineup for Ukraine (3-4-2-1)

Anatoliy Trubin – Illya Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Svatok, Mykola Matviyenko – Yehor Yarmolyuk, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi – Heorhiy Sudakov, Oleksiy Gutsulyak – Artem Dovbyk.

Due to injuries, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, defenders Vitaliy Mykolenko and Oleksandr Tymchyk, and forward Roman Yaremchuk will not play.

France

As noted earlier, in the previous World Cup qualification, France and Ukraine were in the same group. Didier Deschamps' side confidently topped their group with five wins and three draws. Notably, the French conceded only three goals in the group, showcasing the third-best defensive performance among all teams in European qualification.

• France is unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup qualifiers (8 wins and 4 draws).
• No more than two goals were scored in 7 of France's last 8 World Cup qualifiers.
• France did not lose in their last 5 away matches in this tournament (4 wins and 1 draw).

Predicted lineup for France (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan – Lucas Digne, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano – Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni – Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Desire Doue – Kylian Mbappe.

Due to injuries, defender William Saliba and forward Rayan Cherki are not in the squad. Forward Antoine Griezmann has retired from the national team.

Referee

Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties – 33%.

Ukraine vs. France: Match Prediction

Didier Deschamps' team is the clear favorite in the upcoming match. However, Ukraine has repeatedly shown they can compete with this opponent. In their last six official meetings, Ukraine has only lost twice (1 win and 3 draws).

The French tend to defeat Ukraine on their home turf or in the final stages of major tournaments. However, when the match is played at a home venue for Ukraine, the more renowned team faces difficulties (3 draws and 1 loss).

I predict that Serhiy Rebrov's side will either take points from France or suffer a narrow defeat. In their last 10 World Cup qualifiers, Ukraine has lost only once, and that by just one goal. Meanwhile, France has not won convincingly in 7 of their last 10 away matches in this tournament.

My prediction – “Ukraine with a handicap (+1.5)”