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World Cup final: Predicted starting lineups for Argentina vs France
Argentina will lock horns with France on Sunday in the Qatar World Cup final and below are our predicted starting lineups and predictions for the showdown.
Argentina are the favourites to win the World Cup, according to bookmakers but both countries are somewhat evenly matched, thanks to the quality of players both Scaloni and Didier Deschamps possess.
There are suggestions that both managers are planning on making some tactical changes to their previous starting lineup.
A report emerged this week that Scaloni is thinking about starting with three centre-backs after he practiced with Lisandro Martinez, Otamendi Nicolas and Christian Romero at the back.
Argentina played with three at the back against The Netherlands and put out a superb performance, although they needed a penalty shootout to see off the Dutchmen.
Should the report be true, below is how Argentina could lineup in a crucial World Cup game against France on Sunday.
Predicted Argentina starting lineup
Goalkeeper: Martinez
Defenders: Acuna, Martinez, Otamendi, Romero, Molina
Midfielders: Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul
Forwards: Alvarez, Messi
There’s also a suggestion that France boss Didier Deschamps is planning on dropping Olivier Giroud on the bench after enduring a knee injury in training, to start Kylian Mbappe at no.9.
Deschamps want pace upfront, hence he’s weighing on starting Marcus Thuram on the left-wing alongside Mbappe and Dembele.
Predicted France starting lineup
Goalkeeper: Lloris
Defenders: Kounde, Varane, Konate, Hernandez
Midfielders: Tchouameni, Fofana, Girzemann
Forwards: Dembele, Mbappe, Thuram
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