France injury issues, pick Spanish defender, captain Benzema

By Josh Barker


Published: June 27, 2021 11:45 pm

Last Updated: June 27, 2021 9:55 pm

EFF Daily: June 28th updates

Monday’s Euro 2020 action once again sees two sides facing off.

The first tie of the day pits Croatia against Spain. The former had a disappointing opening to their group stage with a 1-0 loss vs England before then drawing with the Czech Republic. However, they would then dominate and put three past Scotland last time out.

Spain, meanwhile, were struggling to score goals, netting just once in their first two ties. However, the floodgates would then open and they would net five vs Slovakia last time out.

The final tie of the day then sees France take on Switzerland. The World Cup holders haven’t looked at their best this summer, but they should still be favourites for this game.

Injury news

Croatia: Croatia are not reporting any injury issues ahead of facing Spain. But Ivan Perisic is out after testing positive for Covid-19:

Croatian Football Federation received the results of regular testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which showed that player Ivan Perišić has tested positive for novel coronavirus. Media release: https://t.co/O7E9c1haeO

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 26, 2021

Spain: Spain also look to have a clean bill of health ahead of Monday.

France: France have some issues at left-back ahead of facing Switzerland. Lucas Digne looks unlikely to play again this summer whilst Lucas Hernandez had a little knee problem:

“The bigger worry is Lucas. He has a muscular injury behind the thigh. It’s going to be tough for him to play again this tournament. Hernández had a little knee problem and I didn’t want to take any risks.”

Digne injury is a concern for Deschamps: “The bigger worry is Lucas. He has a muscular injury behind the thigh. It’s going to be tough for him to play again this tournament. Hernández had a little knee problem and I didn’t want to take any risks.”https://t.co/mZrUGRj4Ka#FRA

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) June 24, 2021

Thomas Lemar and Marcus Thurman also picked up injuries last week and are being assessed ahead of Monday:

Thomas Lemar and Marcus Thuram will be assessed after picking up injuries during the Les Bleus’ final training session in Budapest on Thursday. #EURO2020

Table: https://t.co/mZrUGRj4Ka#FRA

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) June 25, 2021

Switzerland: Switzerland have no injury issues at present.

Top 3 players to pick: Laporte, Benzema, Kimpembe

Aymeric Laporte, Spain (6.2m)

Despite only just opting to play for Spain, Aymeric Laporte is already a key figure in La Roja’s backline.

The Manchester City centre-back has started all three of Spain’s group games this summer, helping keep two clean sheets and scoring one goal.

And another clean sheet does look fairly likely this time around as well. Croatia are not the best side going forward and will be without start forward Ivan Perisic on Monday after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Karim Benzema, France (10.1m)

France should have little issues scoring at least a couple of goals vs Switzerland.

Switzerland would pick up four points from their group, but they failed to keep a single clean sheet.

They even failed to keep a clean sheet vs a poor Turkey side, whose only goal of Euro 2020 came against the Swiss.

As a result, France are likely to be able to penetrate their defence quite easily and given Benzema is now Les Bleus’ top scorer at Euro 2020 and also their penalty taker, he seems the most likely to earn a decent return on Monday.

Presnel Kimpembe, France (5.6m)

At the other end of the pitch Presnel Kimpembe should represent a decent option.

Granted, France have only kept one clean sheet in the Euros so far.

But Switzerland are unlikely to prove as big a threat as Portugal or Hungary. And at 5.6m, Kimpembe seems like the best option for a France defender.

Captain of the day: Benzema, France

France are yet to hit their best form at Euro 2020.

But with the knockout rounds underway we should see Didier Deschamps’ men in much better form.

That includes Benzema, who has already scored two at the tournament and should be able to quite easily add to that tally vs a poor Swiss backline that is yet to keep a clean sheet.

France vs Switzerland betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds

Croatia vs Spain betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds