On Saturday, the United States men’s national team will continue their 2018 campaign with a friendly against France at Groupama Stadium in Lyon. After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in more than 30 years after a shocking 2-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago last October, the US have carved out an aggressive 2018 schedule with the intention of playing against top competition.

The match against France will be the second of USMNT’s Europe trip, which began with a 2-1 loss to Ireland last Saturday that came in the final minutes. It was their first loss of 2018, as they started the year with a 0-0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in January, a 1-0 win over Paraguay in March and a 3-0 dismantling of Bolivia on May 28. The France vs USA betting odds have Didier Deschamps’ men as 1/6 on favourites, so it may well be another defeat in 2018 for the Americans.

While the US’s failure to qualify for the World Cup was defined by an aging roster, the 2018 squad is full of fresh faces. Helmed by interim manager Dave Sarachan — previous coach Bruce Arena resigned after the Trindad loss — the current squad is comprised of young players as a new phase of American soccer ushers in.

Without the help of Christian Pulisic, USMNT’s best player who didn’t accompany the trip to Europe, opportunities have arisen for new additions like midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams and forward Bobby Wood — the lone goal scorer against Ireland.

Saturday’s match will serve as a tune-up for the French, who will play their first Group C match on June 16 against Australia. With 13/2 odds to win the World Cup, France is one of the heavyweights, and they’ll represent a massive challenge for USMNT.

Since winning in 1998, France have qualified in each World Cup since but have failed to advance past the quarterfinals. But the Didier Deshamps-led squad is coming off a 3-1 defeat of Italy and features an elite roster that could break that trend in Russia. France carries a strong blend of experience and youthful skill, led by forward Antoine Griezman and midfielder Paul Pogba.

In the last matchup between the two countries in 2011, France took home a tightly contested match 1-0 after Loïc Rémy scored in the 72nd minute. They’ve never played in official competition, but France has won all three of the friendlies held.

The match in Lyon, France, will kickoff at 16:00 BST.