Euro 2024: Predicted Starting XI for France and Austria, who will lineup alongside Kylian Mbappe?

France are all set to kickoff their Euro 2024 campaign with their Group D fixture against Austria at the Dusseldorf Arena on Monday, June 17th, 21:00 CET (Tuesday, June 18th, 12:30 AM IST). 

Didier Deschamps' France head into the encounter against Ralf Ragnick's Austria as not just the favourites for the match tonight but also one of the favourites to win the tournament in Germany.

France certainly have one of the most talented squads in the Euros with abundant options in midfield, attack and defence and that is what makes Didier Deschamps job tougher as he has to strike the right balance and find a winning formula for the side. 

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Will Deschamps go with Saliba or Konate in defence?

One of the biggest headache in front of Didier Deschamps is whether he starts William Saliba or Ibrahima Konate in the centre half position to pair up alongside Dayot Upamecano.

Over the past few friendlies, Deschamps has experimented with Konate and Upamecano but it was reported that in the buildup to this game, William Saliba was the one training with starters. 

Given William Saliba's form and pace on the ball, the expectation is for the Arsenal centre half to form the centre back pairing alongside Dayot Upamecano. 

Who lines up alongside Kylian Mbappe in attack? 

While, France traditionally has preferred starting Olivier Giroud alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann upfront in attack during major tournaments, this year Didier Deschamps might have different ideas. 

Given the form of Marcus Thuram and Ousmanne Dembele in attack, these two might be the starting forwards alongside Kylian Mbappe. Griezmann will drop back in a number 10 role, while Olivier Giroud is expected to come off the bench and make a difference later into the games. 

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Predicted XIs for France vs Austria Euro 2024 clash 

France Predicted XI: Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Kanté, Rabiot, Griezmann, Dembélé, Thuram, Mbappé

Austria Predicted XI: Pentz, Posch, Danso, Wober, Mwene, Siewald, Grillitsch, Laimer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Gregoritsch