Fancy French to shock the Spaniards

Spain and France clash in the indisputable pick of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals and the gap between the teams probably is not as great as the betting on the tie suggests.

The Spaniards, winners of Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, are trading at odds on to win the sudden-death showdown in normal time and, given their stellar reputation, bookmakers are sure to see business at prices around the 4-5 mark.

Spain has not lost any of its last 17 competitive games, a run dating back to its shock 0-1 loss to Switzerland in the World Cup two years ago. However, Vicente Del Bosque`s side has dropped four of its 14 friendly matches in that time and, without wishing to be unkind, but any team that has Fernando Torres as its starting striker demands opposing when a decent opportunity to do so presents itself.

The French are more than capable of beating the Spaniards, if only they believe in themselves. Les Bleus were unbeaten in 23 games, winning 16 of them, before losing what was as good as a dead rubber 0-2 to Sweden in Kyiv on Tuesday.

France`s star players played below their ability in the first half of their side`s 1-1 draw with England but, after receiving a half-time pep talk from Laurent Blanc that more than likely featured the 1998 World Cup-winning defender telling his charges that the English were not very good, they came out and completely bossed the second period.

Philippe Mexes is unavailable through suspension but that is no bad thing for the French because he has looked anything but commanding in the centre of their defence. Arsenal stopper Laurent Koscielny is tipped to replace the Milan man alongside Adil Rami and he may end up strengthening them, while Yohan Cabaye is a good bet to return from injury.

France will not mind the Spaniards dominating possession, as is their way, because Blanc`s preferred system of a flat back four and two defensive midfielders is well equipped to soak up the pressure that comes with playing the champions.

What the French will hope to do is make the most of the time that their attacking midfielders, led by Franck Ribery, get on the ball in advanced areas because, when they click, the two-time European title winners are a formidable force.

Spain merits favouritism but it should not be odds on against a team as talented as France, particularly given that it has a propensity to concede goals. Both Lithuania and Scotland managed to score home and away versus the Spaniards during qualification for the tournament.

Adopt a no guts, no glory approach to this blockbuster and back the French to win in 90 minutes at odds of around 4-1. You will not back a better side than France at a price like that for a long time so be brave and support the outsider.

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22/06/2012     © Frixo 2024