Spain (1/2, Ladbrokes) to beat France
There probably isn't much I can tell you about the reigning
European and World Cup Winners you don’t already know. Spain are the standout
nation in world football today, with their own unique style of play that every
team/nation in the modern game look to emulate. Spain’s philosophy is to let
the ball do the work. Every player including the goalkeeper and defenders play
football. Spain start attacks from the back, are comfortable on the ball, keep
possession and pass it round until gaps arrive in the opposition. If they lose
the ball they press and pressure high up the pitch and in packs to retrieve the
ball. Movement on and off the ball is fantastic, even the best nations in the
world struggle to get a foot in the game, often leaving the pitch shattered and
frustrated, after chasing shadows for 90 minutes. Spain could have sent out 2
teams in the European Championships this summer and no one would have been
surprised if they had both reached the final. English fans will be well aware
of players like Cazorla of Arsenal and Mata of Chelsea, both have looked world
beaters in the premiership this season and neither can get in the Spain
starting 11! Mata isn't even in the squad, that tells you just how good Spain
are! This Spanish team is even stronger than the team that won the European
Championship thanks to the return of their all time top scorer, David Villa,
who has 52 Goals from 84 Caps.
France are in a
transitional period. They are no longer the force they were in the late 90’s
when they won the European Championship and World Cup. Gone are the big name
superstars renowned as the best players in the world, the Zidanes, Henrys and
Vieras of this world are no more. Their main stars today are Franck Ribery and
the hot and cold Kazim Benzema. France had a very poor European Championship
this summer, only squeezing through the group stages as runners up. Losing to
Sweden, beating Ukraine and drawing with England before losing in the knockout
stages to tomorrows opponents Spain. Since that loss Laurent Blanc has departed
and World Cup winning midfielder Didier Deschamps (better known as the water
carrier during his playing days) has taken over as manager. This game will be won
in the midfield, I expect the French midfield to be over run and outplayed by
the creativeness and simple football played by the Spanish Maestros. A French
centre midfield of Cabaye, Mavuba and Menez won’t be able to deal with the
Spanish midfield, no matter who they select to play.
Unlike Spain, France
don’t know their best starting 11 and are bedding in new players to try and
find out what it is. Away at the home of the World and European Champions is
not the place they will find answers to the above. Deschamps has come into the
French national side with different ideas and a different way of playing to
that of Blanc, and it will take this team time to settle and time to get used
to his style of play. France are Spain’s only rivals to win this group, the
other teams are weak so the group could well boil down H2H between these two
great nations. Both teams have won their opening 2 games so tomorrow night is a
huge game for both sides. Spain can’t take the opposition lightly tomorrow and
will need to win all 3 points in order to heap pressure on the French and
reduce the pressure on themselves. Spain to win this and move 3 points clear of
their closest rivals.
Uruguay DNB (21/20, William Hill) to beat
Bolivia (draw = stakes returned)
Uruguay are a strong
force in world football today, in the FiFA world ranking they are 7th, 1
position above this summer’s European Champion runners up, Italy. Uruguay have
consistently performed well for the past 5 years and are suddenly a Nation to
be feared on the football pitch. The team have been playing together for years,
with almost the whole squad playing their domestic football in Europe and for
high profile teams. With a solid defence, a well orchestrated midfield and a
strike force most nations would dream of with the likes of in form Suarez and
Cavani as well as the veteran and the man voted player of the last world cup,
Diego Forlan. Uruguay on their day are a match for any opposition as shown in
the previous Copa America, which they won, beating the likes of Brazil and
Argentina to the South American Cup. Uruguay have had a steady start to World
Cup qualification winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 2 games. They will be looking
to push on now after not winning in their last 3 qualifiers, with away loses to
inform Colombia and Argentina and a poor home draw against Ecuador.
Bolivia are one of
the weaker sides in the South American Qualifiers and have so far only won 1 of
their opening 8 games, that coming against bottom side Paraguay. Conceding 13
goals in qualification so far and only scoring 8 goals from their 8 games.
Unlike Uruguay they don’t have many players plying their trade in Europe or the
wealth of talent and match winning players upfront. Their top scorer in
qualifying is midfielder Escobar who only has 2 goals to his name, compared to
the 7 Suarez and Cavani have between them. Bolivia came back from 1:0 down in
their last qualifier at home to Peru, but I expect Uruguay to go on and win the
game should they take the lead in this one.
After not winning in
their previous 3 qualifiers Uruguay will want to get back to winning ways
tomorrow night. This could well be a tight game but should Uruguay get their
noses in front early I can see them going on to win with ease. Either way I can
only see one winner, whatever happens I don’t see Bolivia adding to their 1 and
only win, and with favourable odds, draw no bet seems the standout selection
with the least risk. The Blue and White of Uruguay to prevail in this one.
