Uruguay vs France
We are quickly approaching the endgame of the FIFA World Cup, and the stakes are higher for every match played in the remaining days of the tournament. The World Cup 2018 trophy becomes all the more clearer, and the last eight teams in the competition will do everything they can to make the next round.
This match will be all about the two sides that sent home the countries that had two of the best football players in history. France and Uruguay occupied the spots that should have been reserved for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, their brilliant performances in their respective Round of 16 games made them deserved quarter-finalists of the 2018 tournament. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe have been nothing but incredible for this tournament and will also be key men for this match.
Didier Deschamps and Oscar Tabarez will do anything advance their respective squads and will likely field very aggressive formations and tactics to get a one-up on their opponents. The question now will be this: which nation will be leaving the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium smiling?
Talking Points
France is covered in Mbappe Mania for a good reason: the 19-year-old PSG starlet has proven that he can play with the world’s best and thrive with his lightning-fast pace and supreme technical skill. The brilliance he showed in France’s stomp of Argentina is a testament to his talents and a preview of what else is to come for France for the next decade.
The boy who admired Cristiano Ronaldo from afar is already a bona-fide star of his own in Russia. In 266 minutes of action, he has scored three goals from five shot attempts. All of his shots were on target, making him a very potent scorer.
He is also showing a bit of versatility with his attacking prowess. Two of his goals were scored with the right foot while the other one was gifted by his left. His sheer talent to blow by defenders with his pace is also something that is a huge concern for La Celeste supporters. He has been so effective that the Uruguayans will definitely plan for him.
Mbappe is also not the only man Uruguay should be worried about. Antoine Griezmann is also a potent threat for Uruguay, but his presence in this match will make things difficult for his family.
The Atletico Madrid front man is half-Uruguayan and is friendly with club-mates and Uruguayan defenders Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. However, Luis Suarez didn’t mince any words and reminded him that he is a Frenchman and he does not know what being a Uruguayan is.
Speaking of which, Suarez and PSG striker Edinson Cavani are still the most dangerous strike partnership in the tournament. The two of them are responsible for five of Uruguay’s five of six goals.
Cavani has been especially brilliant. He came alive in their 2-1 win against Portugal after having a bit of a quiet performance in the groups. His brace sent Cristiano Ronaldo home, and it is expected that he will bring the same quality of attacking performance to this match.
However, World Cup 2018 news reveal that the Uruguayan camp is worried. Cavani might not be fully fit for this match after limping off in the Portugal match due to a left calf injury. Team doctors revealed that he is still injured and may miss the match.
Suarez, who has two goals and one assist in the tournament, also took a knock during training. However, he appeared to the press without any visible discomfort and is confident that they can contain Mbappe and Argentina without him.
Whether that actually happens is yet to be seen.
History
These two nations have had plenty of history with each other, but there’s not one side that has had the definite advantage over the other. If the World Cup 2018 odds were going to be based on their history alone, it would be a close call.
Les Bleus lost their first meeting with La Celeste at the 1966 World Cup but won their next clash at the 1985 Inter-Continental Championship. They then met four times between 2002 and 2012 but drew all of them. Their latest meeting, a 2013 friendly, was won by the Uruguayans.
France have not reached the World Cup finals since 1950 and would like to reach the pinnacle of the World Cup once more. Meanwhile, France last reached the World Cup final in 2006, where a controversial match saw them playing second-fiddle to Italy.
What are the odds?
SBOBET offers tight odds for this match, as both of them have a great chance of winning this game and the World Cup.
France are slight favourites to make it through the tournament, given their recent domination over Argentina. If you think Mbappe will strike once more, France 1X2 comes at 2.03.
However, it’s not bad to believe in Uruguay. If Cavani makes it back in time for the kick-off, I would not shy away from an attractive punt at the Asian Handicap market. Uruguay +0.23 @ 2.33 offers great value for punters.
Finally, given how these two sides have scored at least two goals in their last games, there is a high chance of seeing five goals go through in this game. Over 2.25 Goals is at 2.40.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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