Ladbrokes' daily World Cup tip: France to win once again

Ladbrokes daily World Cup tip day 18

France to win the World Cup

International football is very different to club football. The best tournament teams aren't always the most entertaining or expansive, they're the sides who know exactly how to navigate seven high-pressure matches.

Nobody embodies that better than Didier Deschamps.

The France boss has built one of the world's most effective tournament teams through defensive organisation, tactical discipline and the freedom for his world-class attackers to decide games in transition.

That defensive platform is arguably unmatched.

William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano form one of the strongest centre-back pairings in international football, while Jules Kounde and Aurelien Tchouameni provide further defensive quality in front of and alongside them.

France have conceded just two goals at this World Cup, with one of those coming against Norway in a match where Deschamps heavily rotated his side after already securing top spot in the group.

The numbers stretch well beyond this tournament too.

France conceded fewer than one goal per game during World Cup qualifying and have conceded two goals in a competitive match only once since this time last year. They've kept four clean sheets during that spell and have conceded just six goals across their last ten matches, despite facing the likes of Germany, Norway and Senegal.

As impressive as the defence is, though, it's France's frightening attacking depth that really separates them from everyone else.

In their opening World Cup match, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche and Marcus Thuram all started on the bench, while Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue led the attack.

There aren't many international teams who can leave that much talent in reserve.

France have already scored 10 goals in just three World Cup matches, averaging more than three goals per game.

Even if opponents do find a way through France's defence, history suggests it rarely matters because Les Bleus almost always score more.

They're averaging over 2.6 goals per game dating back to World Cup qualifying, and that figure has actually increased during the tournament despite the higher standard of opposition.

Across their last ten matches, France have scored 26 goals. They are ruthless.

France also head into the knockout stages on a 10-match unbeaten run in competitive football.

With arguably the deepest squad in the tournament, elite players across every position, one of the world's strongest defences, and a manager whose record at major tournaments speaks for itself, we're backing France to go all the way.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.