Norway and France put their 100 per cent records on the line as they battle it out for top spot in World Cup Group I in Foxborough on Friday night.
Both teams are already assured of a place in the knockout stages, but there is still some jostling for position when the pair face off at the Boston Stadium.
Norway have produced two free-scoring performances to beat Senegal 3-2 and Iraq 4-1, while Les Bleus have been 3-0 and 3-1 winners over the same opponents.
Group I’s top-two teams now go head-to-head in what should be a thrilling Foxborough contest.
Norway and France are excellent teams, who have high hopes for World Cup glory and we’ve analysed the stats and browsed the World Cup betting market for a Bet Builder for this match which pays out at 14/1 if successful.
Norway v France Bet Builder Tips
Norway to win @ 10/3
Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13
Martin Odegaard 2+ tackles won @ 11/10
Pays out at 14/1
Norway can leave France feeling blue
France are favourites to lift the World Cup, but Norway may be about to make their mark on the tournament.
Of course, Les Bleus have a stream of attacking talent with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele just three of the forward options open to Didier Deschamps and it will be interesting to see if the absent French boss rotates his side with qualification for the knockout rounds assured.
Clearly, it’s a big ask for Norway to keep France at bay, but Senegal kept Les Bleus out until the 66th minute in their first group-stage clash and Norway are an upgrade on the Lions of Teranga.
The Red, White and Blue created an expected goals tally of 2.20 in their 3-2 success over Senegal and it was 2.52 in the 4-1 win over Iraq.
France can’t simply think about attacking in Foxborough, with Erling Haaland likely to pose a huge threat to the French defence.
Martin Odegaard and Sander Berge have the engine to dominate the midfield battle and, while beating France is no easy task, it may not be as difficult as offers of 10/3 suggest.
Leg 1: Norway to win @ 10/3
Goals to flow in Foxborough
There have been 10 goals in Norway’s opening two World Cup matches, while France’s North American contests have seen seven strikes.
Top spot is up for grabs in Foxborough, but there could be a more relaxed feel to this contest with the teams already assured of a place in the last 32.
Norway scored 37 goals in their eight qualifying games and the Red, White and Blue are only interested in attacking.
France boast the most feared forward line at the World Cup, so over 2.5 goals rates as a banker bet builder selection.
Leg 2: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13
Odegaard gunning for French midfield
Odegaard didn’t have the strongest campaign for Arsenal this season when it comes to creativity, but there was no doubting the work-rate of the 27-year-old.
He is likely to be up against Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni at the Boston Stadium and that’s a midfield battle the Arsenal man can win.
The Gunners schemer made two tackles in the 4-1 domination of Iraq and, with more defensive work expected against France, Odegaard looks a play to win two or more challenges against Les Bleus.
Leg 3: Martin Odegaard 2+ tackles won @ 11/10
