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Euro 2016 hosts France are looking to go two from two as they do battle with Albania in Marseille. Follow all the action live on The Roar from 5am (AEST).
Two-time champions France got up on opening night, winning the tournament’s first game against Romania 2-1, thanks to a late Dimitri Payet winner a minute from full time.
The French have won ten of their last 11 internationals, and are touted as tournament favourites at home.
Albania, on the other hand, suffered an early defeat that already dents their chances to make the round of 16.
Like Iceland in Group F, Albania are playing in their first ever major tournament, having snuck through a record field of qualifiers.
The Albanians are also the lowest ranked side in the tournament, sitting 42nd in the FIFA standings, seven spots behind the nearest competitor at this year’s edition, Sweden.
These two sides have met just six times, with Albania having won their last encounter and drawn the meeting before that, making them technically unbeaten for the last five years against the French.
Albania will be without captain Lorik Cana though – who holds the nation’s record for most internationals – after he was red carded in his side’s loss to Switzerland.
Interestingly, this will be France’s first match in Marseille for 18 years, with renovations on the Stade Vélodrome completed before the tournament, meaning Les Bleus will return to follow up their 3-0 win over South Africa in the 1998 World Cup.
Prediction
France have struggled against Albania in the last couple of years, but this is a team on a tear right now, making their mark on the international stage.
France to win by 2.
Make sure to follow all the Euro 2016 action on The Roar from 5am (AEST).
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