France VS Uruguay Match Prediction
2018-11-20
20:00:00
France
VS
Uruguay
Our Prediction Tip
France will win this match.
2018-11-2020:00:00 France will win this match.
France’s 2-0 win against Uruguay in the quarter-finals of the World Cup means the two teams have an identical record of two wins apiece from eight matches against each other. All four draws have been goalless - all four matches ending that way between 2002 and 2012. Since then, Luis Suarez scored the only goal of the game in a 2013 friendly but France won last time out – Raphael Varane opening the scoring before Antoine Griezmann scored courtesy of a bad goalkeeping error by Fernando Muslera.
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France might have lost for the first time since the World Cup last time out but their form is undoubtedly better than Uruguay’s – who have now lost their last three in a row.
Stretching back a little further to France’s 2-0 win in the World Cup quarter-final, and Uruguay have lost four of their last five games.
And, ominously for them, France’s fierce attacking line-up remains despite injuries elsewhere in the squad – Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in particular in fine form.
Edinson Cavani will know all about his PSG team-mate’s electrifying form but he could steal the limelight against an inexperienced France defence.
Cavani and Luis Suarez, with more than 100 Uruguay goals between them, need to be kept quiet if France are to get back to winning ways.
Cavani was a big loss for the World Cup quarter-final and he and Suarez have not had too much chance to play alongside each other lately as both have battled injuries.
The key for France then will be to keep them quiet, with Raphael Varane – who scored against Uruguay at the World Cup – the key in that regard.
France are in better form, despite the defeat to the Netherlands last time out and the world champions can get back to winning ways.
France are a best price of 11/20 with 888sport to beat Uruguay.
While France are deserving favourites, however, they do have an inexperienced defence up against Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Both teams to score has been set at 6/5 by Ladbrokes.
A France win and BTTS is 3/1 with Bet365 and 888sport, while you can get 11/10 from Ladbrokes, Betfair and Paddy Power on there being over 2.5 goals.
Antoine Griezmann netted against Uruguay at the World Cup – albeit thanks to a big deflection – and he is 6/4 to score at any time with Betway, while in-form Kylian Mbappe is 8/5 with 888sport.
France’s winning run might have ended last time out but they are still in better form than Uruguay, who have now lost their last three games.
Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Benjamin Mendy and Alexandre Lacazette have all withdrawn from the France squad through injury. Pogba withdrew after missing the Manchester derby with a thigh injury, while Martial picked up a hip injury and Mendy a knee problem in City’s win. Martial – who was recalled for the first time since missing out on a World Cup place – was replaced by Lacazette, who likewise had not featured since being overlooked for the World Cup, but the Arsenal man was also forced to pull out just hours later. Samuel Umtiti was already out injured in defence, while Mendy’s absence – combined with the fact Lucas Hernandez was not in the squad – means Ferland Mendy could make his debut in this friendly. Alassane Plea was called up to replace the injured front men and could also make his debut.
Antoine Griezmann – Scored both goals in last month’s win against Germany to continue the form that saw him earn the Bronze Ball at the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe – An explosive start to the season with PSG has seen the teenaged superstar continue the excellent form he showed in Russia.
Raphael Varane – Scored in the win against Uruguay at the World Cup but more important is the most experienced defender in the squad with several players absent.
France were unbeaten in four games since the World Cup prior to last week’s defeat to the Netherlands but they had rode their luck. Their first match back as world champions was a goalless draw with Germany before Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud scored in a 2-1 win against the Dutch. Against Iceland, France trailed 2-0 until a late own goal and an even later Kylian Mbappe penalty earned a draw. Antoine Griezmann’s double helped them come from behind to beat Germany in the next game but France’s luck ran out when they lost 2-0 in Rotterdam.
Injuries have cost Uruguay some of their most experienced campaigners for this game, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, captain Diego Godin, fellow defenders Jose Gimenez and Sebastian Coates and back-up striker Cristhian Stuani all withdrawing from the squad. It meant debuts for Bruno Mendez and Mathias Suarez last time out, while Erick Cabaco is still waiting for his first start – which could arrive against France.
Edinson Cavani – For all the talk of inexperience at the back, up front Cavani will win his 109th cap – he has 46 international goals.
Luis Suarez – The Barcelona forward has scored 55 times in 105 games for Uruguay – a national record.
Lucas Torreira – The feisty midfielder has made a good start with Arsenal and will be the man who needs to break up the supply to France’s awesome attacking line-up.
Since the 2-0 defeat to France in the World Cup quarter-final, Uruguay beat Mexico 4-1 in Houston in September thanks to a Luis Suarez double sandwiched by Jose Gimenez and Gaston Pereiro’s strikes. They have not won since, however, losing 2-1 to South Korea – Mathias Vecino scoring – and 4-3 to Japan, despite another Pereiro goal and once apiece for Edinson Cavani and Jonathan Rodriguez. Brazil’s 1-0 win at the Emirates last time out continues Uruguay’s losing streak.
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