France predicted XI v Northern Ireland: Désiré Doué to start on the left, Ousmane Dembélé comes in | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps said that the side that starts against Northern Ireland in Monday night’s friendly will closely resemble that which starts against Senegal in France’s FIFA World Cup opener. 

The side that lost to Ivory Coast was more experimental, with that game a practice of giving as much game time to as many players as possible. None of the outfield players that started that game finished it.

Tonight’s match will give a greater indication of Deschamps’ favoured XI heading into the tournament. Michael Olise, L’Équipe understands, will play in the No.10, with Ousmane Dembélé on the right. Désiré Doué may be the surprise on the left. 

There is also good news for France in the form of William Saliba. There had been concerns regarding the Arsenal defender, who is managing a back issue. He, however, looks set to start. 

France likely line-up v Northern Ireland

Mike Maignan; Théo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Koundé; Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni; Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé; Kylian Mbappé. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle