Spain vs. France Preview

After a shock defeat to Sweden in their final group game, France found themselves second in Group D and up against defending champions Spain.

It is a nightmare scenario for the French as they are forced to do battle with a Spanish side who have not lost a knock-out game in a major tournament since 2006. The Spanish are 20/23 (BetVictor/188bet/32 Red) to claim the victory here. France though can take heart from the fact that they were the last side to beat Spain in the knock-out stages of a major tournament (the last 16 stage of the 2006 World Cup) and that Spain have never beaten them in their six previous competitive meetings. Those who think France can repeat that feat here can get 4/1 (general) on a France victory. The 90 minute draw between these sides is priced at 13/5 (Skybet).

Spain will have a selection choice to make up front with it likely coming down to a choice between Fernando Torres 6/1 (stanjames) and Cesc Fabregas 8/1 (BetVictor/Stan James) to grab the first. Andres Iniesta has created a number of scoring chances for himself throught the tournament and is 9/1 (general) to net the opener. Those who think France will get the opener can get 17/2 (bet365/BetVictor) Karim Benzema who has had a lot of chances but has failed to fire or 14/1 (general) Samir Nasri.

Spain have conceded just once in their last four games and bookmakers make the 1-0 Spain victory their favourite 5/1 (ladbrokes) in the correct score market (general). The France 1-0 victory is priced up at 10/1 (paddy Power/ladbrokes/188bet). The 0-0 draw is priced at 15/2 (Skybet/188bet) and 1-1 at 6/1 (general).

The Half Time/Full Time market is always a popular one for betting and you can get 2/1 (Bodog/william hill) that the game sees Spain ahead at HT and FT. The Draw/Spain result is the next most popular in the betting market and you can get this at 15/4 with (Bodog), while the Draw HT/ France FT result is priced at 10/1 (Blue Square/888sport/Bodog).

Spain tend not to run riot in their games and backing Spain to win by one goal may be a popular bet. You can get this at 11/4 (bet365/ladbrokes) or 5/1 (ladbrokes) for Spain to win by two goals. France to win by one goal is 11/2 (general) or 18/1 (boylesports/Bodog) for them to win by two goals.

If you think this game could be one that goes longer than 90 minutes then it could pay to bet on the method of victory, with Spain to win in extra-time priced at 9/1 (bet365/BetVictor/BWin) or a penalties victory 12/1 (bet365/BetVictor). A France victory in extra-time can be had for 20/1 (Bet365) and it is 12/1 (general) France win on penalties.

This game features two teams who like to keep a lot of possesions and goals could be low, the under 2,5 goals market is a very low 3/5 (BetVictor/Bwin/Bodog). You can get Evens wth Coral that only one team will score or 7/1(general) that no team will score.

In a tight game like this it might be worth looking at markets than say the game will be tight at half-time. You can get 13/8 (betfred) that the half-time score is 0-0.

Spain will be hoping that they can end their hodoo against France in this fascinating looking quarter-final.

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21/06/2012     © Frixo 2024