During the qualifying stages, Kylian Mbappe was instrumental, contributing nine goals in seven starts, remarkably averaging over a goal per game. He achieved the same feat at the 2022 World Cup.

Mbappe’s importance to Les Bleus is further underscored by his absence in their recent friendly against Canada, where France failed to score. In the prior friendly, France defeated Luxembourg 3-0 with Mbappe inevitably ending up on the scoresheet.

Ragnick will have to contend with the absence of his regular captain, David Alaba, and defensive midfielder Xaver Schlager. Given the stylistic matchup, with key players out for Austria, there should be space in behind and plenty of chances for Mbappe to exploit.

Konrad Laimer committed a foul in five out of six starts for Austria in the qualifying stages – the only game he failed to do so was against Estonia having been subbed off after 40 minutes with an injury.

In the heart of midfield, Laimer will have a massive role in pressing, and generally trying to contain France. With Xaver Schlager out, Laimer is expected to take on a majority of the defensive burden.

The work rate of Konrad Laimer epitomises what Ralf Ragnick expects from his midfielders – they press high and limit time on the ball for their opponents. Against the highly-rated French midfield trio of Eduoardo Camavinga, Aurelian Tchouameni and Antoine Griezmann, it’s not set to be an easy match for Laimer – it’s their trickery which could well lead to a mistake and foul from Laimer.

The 2022/23 Nations League hosted the last matchup between Austria and France. They played out a 1-1 draw in Vienna, in which France managed four corners. In the reverse fixture in Paris, France forced five corners, so this selection has landed in each of the last two head-to-head fixtures.

With the directness of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele on the flanks, Les Bleus are an ever-present attacking threat which leads to last-ditch defensive actions, and subsequent corner kicks.

In the June friendlies, France racked up nine corners against Luxembourg, followed by seven corners against Canada. Expecting Deschamps’ men to once again dominate play, backing corners seems a sensible angle.

Aurelian Tchouameni is expected to feature in the double pivot for France, with more attacking freedom than he is afforded under Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid.

Behind Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezman, Tchouameni had the most shots for France in the qualifying campaign. The midfielder managed 14 attempts from five starts, four of which were on target.

In one of those five starts, Tchouameni managed three shots against Netherlands, two of which were on target. Prior to that game, he also racked up five shots against Germany in a friendly, three of which were on target. The midfielder certainly has an eye for goal, and is a threat from distance.

Champions League finalist Marcel Sabitzer is expected to be a key man for Ralf Ragnick, following a really positive domestic season. The playmaker took the second-most shots for Austria in their qualifiers, at an average of 4.15 shots per 90 minutes.

France naturally present a tough matchup for shots, but Sabitzer will have more of a free role, looking to find pockets of space between the lines to exploit. He is likely to be the man to take both free-kicks and penalties, as he did domestically, which really makes this price look value.

Dayot Upamecano is set to feature alongside William Saliba against Austria, which on paper seems a well-rounded partnership. Upamecano will be the more aggressive of the two, matched up against the highly physical Michael Gregoritsch. The Austrian striker drew a foul in five out of his six starts in the Euro qualifiers.

Deschamps’ system requires aggressive defenders – Upamecano perfectly fits the bill. The centre back managed five starts in France’s qualifying campaign, and was blown for at least two fouls in three of those games.