France vs Wales. International Match.
Stade De FranceAttendance60,000.
Friday 10 November 2017 19:14, UK
Chris Coleman's future remains unclear as Wales manager but he will lead the team for their friendly with France at the Stade de France on Friday (kick-off 8pm).
After failing to reach the World Cup, Coleman has hinted that these friendlies with France and Panama could be his last matches as national team manager. His contract expires at the end of November, with negotiations set to continue with the Welsh hierarchy later this month.
Meanwhile, France manager Didier Deschamps recently signed a new contract after guiding his side to the top of their qualifying group for the World Cup.
Wales are without Gareth Bale in Paris due to the calf injury which ruled the Real Madrid forward out of their final two World Cup qualifiers.
But Coleman plans to name a strong side against France and a more experimental line-up at home to Panama on Tuesday.
Coleman said: "It's either going to happen or it's not - and that time will come after this camp. I can't afford to be thinking about something else, all I need to think about is preparing the team. I can't deny the feeling is a bit different, because we're playing for pride.
"That, of course. means a lot but for a long time now we've been playing for points. That's not there anymore so the mood is slightly different, but this is a test for us against one of the best teams in the world."
France and Wales will be meeting for first time since June 1982, when Ian Rush scored in a 1-0 friendly victory in Toulouse.
However, Les Bleus have won two of their other three encounters, drawing the first fixture in May 1933. All four of these meetings have come in France.
Wales will be returning to France for the first time since Euro 2016 when reaching the semi-final stage, although none of their games were played at the Stade de France.
The Dragons are unbeaten in their last five away games under Coleman (W2 D3), their best run on the road since September 2004 when managed by Mark Hughes. They last went six away games unbeaten in June 1979.
Wales have kept clean sheets in four of their last six international matches, conceding just once in each their other two contests.
I think this is one game where Coleman has to consider going with a pretty established team just in case France get a bit bold and try to embarrass them.
I'd still be looking at France -2 on the handicap. Antoine Griezmann needs goals to build his confidence after struggling for Atletico Madrid, while Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud both have points to prove.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Griezmann to score first (17/1 with Sky Bet)
Wales have odds of 10/1 stacked against them for Friday night's clash, with France considered 2/7 favourites by Sky Bet, who price the draw at 17/4. Griezmann and Olivier Giroud share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 100/30 apiece, while Sam Vokes is considered the visitors' main threat at 12/1 to break the deadlock.
