Australia vs France Predictions, Odds, and Picks: Les Bleus Prove to Be Adept in the Air

A spot in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is on the line Saturday morning when co-host nation Australia meets up with France in a major clash of Top-10 teams.

Australia is hopeful to have superstar Sam Kerr back in the starting lineup for the first time all tournament, and her presence would give a spark to a side that is the underdog heading into the match. She debuted off the bench in their 2-0 win over Denmark a few days ago.

Meanwhile, France is looking to continue lighting up the scoreboard, having scored a combined 10 goals in the past two matches following a 4-0 win over Morocco in the Round of 16. They now seek to reach the semi-finals after having lost at this stage in each of the past two tournaments. 

Can the Matildas pull off the upset and feed off their home support, or will it be a wonderful night for Les Bleues? Find out in our Australia vs. France picks and predictions for Saturday, August 12. 

Australia vs France odds

Australia		France
+260	Moneyline	+110
+215	Draw	+215
Over 2.5 (+130)	Total	Under 2.5 (-160)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings on August 11, 2023.

Australia vs France picks and predictions

Only two teams in this tournament — Spain and the United States — have attempted more crosses than France. They’ve managed 118 over four matches, helped in part by their 28 corner kicks attempted.

Australia has faced 71 crosses in the tournament, and their back line isn’t very tall. Clare Hunt stands 5-foot-9, as does Alanna Kennedy in central defense, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold is only 5-foot-10.

You might be asking what this has to do with anything. Well, it has everything to do with our best bet — for the first goal of the match to be scored via a header, a prop that bet365 offers at +550. 

Following a scoreless draw with Jamaica, France has scored 10 goals from open play over the past three matches. Against two of those teams — Brazil and Morocco — they scored first. And in all three of the matches, their opening goal came via a header. 

Les Bleues love to get the ball wide and play it central. When France are gifted a corner or a dangerous free kick, the taker has one name in mind — and that’s Wendie Renard. The French center back stands 6-foot-2 and already has one headed goal in this tournament. 

All those factors combined make me very bullish on this +550 wager. France is going to put the home side under pressure early, much as they did against Brazil and Morocco. Both were good teams that France decided to attack from the start, and they know they must take the home fans out of the match early. 

That’s why I anticipate France scoring the opening goal. Combine that with their style of play and aerial advantage against the Aussies? This is a great play at a terrific price. 

My best bet: First goal via header (+550 at bet365)

Australia vs France same-game parlay

France to score first (-135)

Renard 1+ shots on target (+195)

Over 2.5 goals (+115)

Both teams to score (-115)

+750 at DraftKings

This is a rare occasion where the Best Bet can’t be parlayed, but we’ll play off that just a bit. We’re going to start our same-game parlay with France to score the opening goal, which pretty much has to happen for our best bet to come through. 

To pair with that, I’m adding Renard to record at least one shot on target. This leg adds some power to the SGP at +195, and I’m really big on her being a threat in this match on set pieces. 

Next, we’re going to tie into some of what we’ll discuss further with the total and back Over 2.5 goals. France has been solid defensively but I view this match to be similar to their tilt with Brazil, which ultimately ended with a 2-1 scoreline. I also think it’ll play out somewhat similarly to Australia’s 3-2 loss to Nigeria, in terms of having lots of shots and open play.

These four plays give you a strong SGP at +750. It’s one of my favorite parlays of the tournament so far and I love the value on the offer. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Australia vs France spread and Over/Under analysis

Despite being the host nation, Australia enters this match as the decided underdog. They’re being offered as high as +260 to win, with France as low as +105 to take the victory in regulation. France is also heavily juiced to advance regardless of how they do so.

That said, I’m going to play a small amount on Australia to advance. This match is being held in Milton and Kerr is expected to start if he’s fit, per manager Tony Gustavsson. I see France taking the lead but the Matildas rallying and finding a way to reach their first-ever semi-final.

The Under is what many are playing — with Under 2.5 juiced in the -175 range — but I feel there’s simply too much firepower on offense for either team to keep a clean sheet. 

As we discussed earlier, France is lethal when it comes to capitalizing on mistakes, and they have terrific finishers all over the pitch. Kerr is also one of the best forwards in the world and a player who will impact play at the offensive end. 

Australia vs France game info

Australia vs France key injuries

Australia: Kyah Simon F (Doubtful), Sam Kerr F (Questionable).
France: Maelle Lakrar D (Probable). 

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