France vs Sweden Betting Tips: Favourites To Flourish At MetLife

The 2026 World Cup knockout stages continue tonight as France face Sweden in the Round of 32 at MetLife Stadium. Les Bleus were one of the most impressive sides in the group stage, winning three from three and scoring freely, while Sweden arrive as dangerous underdogs with enough attacking quality to make this interesting. Billy Grimshaw has a few recommended bets on the 10pm action...

France vs Sweden Betting Tips

Best Bet: France -1 Handicap @ 8/11

France are short enough in the match betting, so the handicap market looks the better route into tonight’s Round of 32 clash.

Didier Deschamps’ side were ruthless in the group stage, taking nine points and scoring 10 goals, and there is a sense that their attacking balance is beginning to click at exactly the right time. Sweden have firepower of their own, but they have also looked vulnerable defensively, most notably when conceding five against the Netherlands.

That makes France -1 appeal. A one-goal victory would return the stake, while any win by two or more goals lands the bet. With Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola all capable of stretching Sweden, Les Bleus should create enough to eventually pull clear.

Sweden are not hopeless by any means, but they may need the performance of the tournament to stay with France for 90 minutes.

Selection: France -1 Handicap @ 8/11

Next Best: Ousmane Dembele Anytime Goalscorer @ 6/4

Ousmane Dembele looks a more interesting route into the France goalscorer markets than taking the shorter price about Kylian Mbappe.

Dembele has been one of the standout attackers of the tournament so far and arrives into this knockout tie in red-hot form. France have looked far more expansive than we often expect under Didier Deschamps, and that attacking intent should give Dembele plenty of chances to get at Sweden’s defence. He is a player who gets his goals in bursts, so last game's hat trick will do his chances no harm.

His movement across the front line makes him difficult to track, while his ability to shoot off either foot means he does not need much space to punish opponents. Sweden conceded heavily against the Netherlands in the group stage and could be vulnerable again if France are allowed to build pressure around the box.

Mbappe will naturally take plenty of attention from Sweden’s defenders, and that could open up space for Dembele to make the difference.

Selection: Ousmane Dembele Anytime Goalscorer @ 6/4

France vs Sweden Prediction

France should have too much quality, depth and attacking variety for Sweden, but this may not be quite as straightforward as the odds suggest.

Sweden have enough forward threat to make France defend properly, particularly on counters and set-pieces, but the bigger concern for Graham Potter’s side is whether they can live with France’s speed and movement across the front line.

If France score first, Sweden will have to open up, and that could be dangerous against one of the best transition attacks left in the tournament.

Prediction: France 3-1 Sweden

France vs Sweden Team News

France are expected to be without Marcus Thuram, who has been struggling with a muscular issue, but Deschamps still has plenty of attacking options. Kylian Mbappe should captain the side, with Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola all options in the forward line.

N’Golo Kante has been managed carefully and could be involved from the bench, while William Saliba has also been dealing with a back issue but is still expected to be in contention. Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni should give France control and physicality in midfield.

Sweden are sweating on the balance of their back line, with Alexander Hien reportedly struggling with a hamstring issue. Victor Lindelof’s experience will be vital, while Potter must decide how brave to be with his attacking set-up against such a powerful France side.

Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak are Sweden’s biggest threats, and they will need service quickly if Sweden are to trouble France on the break.

France possible XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola.

Sweden possible XI: Johansson; Holm, Lindelof, Hien, Gudmundsson; Svanberg, Cajuste; Elanga, Kulusevski, Isak; Gyokeres.