France turned on the second-half swagger to beat Senegal in their World Cup opener and Iraq will need to be at their most organised to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet.
These two teams meet in a Group I showdown in Philadelphia with the French knowing victory will see them into the knockout rounds.
Defeat for Iraq would leave them needing to beat Senegal in their final group game to have any hope of making the last 32 of the World Cup.
France vs. Iraq betting picks and predictions
France to win & over 3.5 goals (-105)
France won plenty of admirers for their second-half display during their 3-1 win over Senegal at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday - and Iraq must be fearful that Didier Deschamps' side will now get it right for the full 90 minutes.
For 45 minutes against the Lions of Teranga the French were sluggish and non-threatening - just two of their 11 shots were taken before half-time.
But after the break they came to life and the speed of thought and movement of their front four was too much for Senegal's backline and their defense is good!
How Iraq set up against Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, the three key figures in France's fantastic front four, will determine how competitive they can stay.
But you can't help but feel that Les Bleus have their mojo now and are going to take all the stopping.
They have scored at least two goals in 13 of their last 14 internationals and at least three in six of their last nine.
The one team who did put the brakes on them was another African side, Ivory Coast, who won a friendly against the European aces in Nantes 2-1 at the start of the month.
Iraq can be good defensively - they beat Bolivia 2-1 in an inter-continental shootout to get to the party and then drew 1-1 with Spain in a friendly.
And they restricted Norway to just 12 attempts in their opening Group I fixture in Foxborough on Tuesday. Four of them went in, however, in a 4-1 loss.
The bottom line here is that if France are on it - and they ought to be - they are way too classy for an Iraq side 54 places below them in FIFA's rankings.
Look at the win/goals double market and back France and Over 3.5 at -105.
Michael Olise to score anyitme (+100)
France had only 11 shots against Senegal, four from Mbappe, two of which he converted and the Real Madrid superstar is a short price to score against the Iraqis.
Better value to find the net might be Olise, who had two shots against the Lions of Teranga, both on target, and who was a real handful.
Playing in a pocket off the frontline, Senegal found him impossible to pick up, but few can be surprised at the 24-year-old's impact given the season he has enjoyed.
Olise scored 22 goals for Bayern Munich, five more for France and is well worth backing at +100 to score in a game where he will surely have chances.
He looks like the second name on the team sheet (behind Mbappe) and can expect a full 90 as Deschamps seeks to ensure qualification with a game to spare.
Aymen Hussein over 0.5 shots on target (+225)
Senegal mustered only six shots against France, with Nicolas Jackson hitting the post and Ibrahim Mbaye grabbing their consolation.
But evidence that Les Bleus do go to sleep from time to time is compelling through World Cup history and Iraq, if they are brave enough, can make inroads.
Aymen Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi were a real handful in the 4-1 defeat to Norway, combining for six shots and with Hussein finding the net.
The Al Karma forward, fifth on Iraq's all-time scoring list, is a massive price at +225 to get just a single shot on target.
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France vs. Iraq odds
France | -1200 |
Tie | +1000 |
Iraq | +2500 |
France vs. Iraq player props
Anytime goalscorer
Kylian Mbappe (France) | -200 |
Michael Olise (France) | +100 |
Ousmane Dembele (France) | +100 |
Aymen Hussein (Iran) | +600 |
Ali Al-Hamadi (Iran) | +600 |
Ibrahim Bayesh (Iran) | +1100 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
