Two of Europe’s most famous national teams will battle for a chance to edge closer to booking their ticket to Russia, with France holding a three-point advantage at the moment.

Netherlands will be under a great deal of pressure as a defeat could effectively end their hopes of reaching the tournament finals.

Having missed a glorious opportunity to lift the Euro 2016 trophy on home soil, France are eager to make things right in Russia next summer.

Les Bleus fared pretty well after the opening draw with Belarus, winning four qualifiers and only suffering a last-gasp defeat to Sweden.

DIdier Deschamps’ side have since beaten England in an international friendly and they can now be backed at 4/7 to see off Netherlands at Stade de France.

The head coach decided to leave Ousmane Dembele, Kevin Gameiro and Tiemoue Bakayoko out of the side, while Dimitri Payet and Raphael Varane miss out through injury.

Kylian Mbappe is included despite not featuring in any competitive matches this season, with PSG youngster Presnel Kimpembe also in the mix.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Lloris – Sidibe, Koscielny, Umtiti, Digne – Pogba, Kante, Matuiti – Lemar, Giroud, Griezmann.

Netherlands remarkably missed out on the Euro 2016 finals and they are now in danger of yet another major failure.

With just four games to go, Oranje trail Sweden and France four points, with a trip to Stade de France up next for Dick Advocaat’s men.

Netherlands have been in fine form of late, defeating Morocco, Ivory Coast and Luxembourg in their last three fixtures, but they will have bigger fish to fry on Thursday.

The likes of Ryan Babel, Davy Klaassen (injury), Jeremain Lens and Steven Berghuis were cut from the provisional squad, whereas Bruno Martins Indi was called to replace Nathan Ake.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah received his first call up as Kenny Tete failed to recover from a knee problem, while star players Van Persie, Robben and Sneijder are all included.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Cillessen – Veltman, de Vrij, Hoedt, Blind – Wijnaldum, Strootman – Robben, Sneijder, Depay – Janssen.