These two are already through, but a win for either will see them top the Group and have a slightly easier route to the final on the back of that. And it’s not just these two who have had strong results, as this column is on a 5-match winning streak that included three winners at odds against.
Can France win again? Can the column win again? Let’s find out.
Betting Tip: Norway - France
So five winners in a row, and we’re trying to make it six. That streak of 11 matches with ‘overs’ in them suggests we’ll get at least three goals again here, as does the fact that the last three games between these two ended 3-3, 2-1 Norway and 4-0 France.
But we’re going to be a bit bolder than that and include the France win as well. As good as Norway have been, this will be a much tougher task, and France look good for the win.
- Key Stat: France are on an 11-match streak of over 2.5 goals games stretching back to September 2025 when they drew 0-0 with Ukraine, a run that has included scoring exactly three goals in four of their last five matches.
- Best Bet: France to win and Over 2.5 Goals
- Odds: 2.3 (at the time of writing)
Norway
Norway are two from two and already qualified to the next round after wins by 4-1 and 3-2 over Iraq and Senegal respectively.
As expected, it’s been Erling Haaland doing most of the heavy lifting with back-to-back braces that have seen him climb up to second in the Golden Boot winner table, just one behind five-goal man Lionel Messi.
But there have also been good contributions from the likes of winger Antonio Musa and midfielder Sander Berge, so though Haaland has been the one grabbing the headlines as you’d expect, everyone has played their part.
They could, however, do with a goal from Alexander Sorloth just to release some pressure on Haaland. The Atletico Madrid man scored 22 goals last season but hasn’t been at his best so far and is yet to score at the World Cup.
- Player to watch: Erling Haaland - 2.5 to score anytime / 3.75 to have 3 or more shots on target
France
France started slowly against Senegal, only really getting going in the second half, but they were far more impressive against Iraq.
So 3-0 and 3-1 wins also have them comfortably in the next round, and they're looking very much like one of the best teams at this tournament.
Kylian Mbappe has matched Haaland’s four goals, Ousmane Dembele finally scored in a World Cup game in what is his third World Cup tournament, and Bayern Munich man Michael Olise has been superb in both games, orchestrating most of the side’s chances and looking in the form of his life.
There may be a temptation to rest at least one of those three here, but they have plenty of quality on the bench to make up for if that is the case.
- Player to watch: Michael Oliseh - 1.83 to score or assist / 2.3 to be fouled 3 or more times
Did you know?
France and Norway are two of just five teams that have yet to have a player booked after two games, the others being Senegal, Germany and Japan.
