Group A Gambling Predictions World Cup Fixture Odds<\/strong>: Uruguay +260 \/ France +105 \/ Draw +220<\/p>\n Are France\u2019s glory days behind them? After winning the World Cup in 1998 and finishing second in 2006, they have also had their share of poor performances, such as their terrible run in 2002, where the holders of the cup went out in the group stages without scoring a single goal \u2013 the first time in football history that had happened.<\/p>\n They cannot afford to repeat that performance against an unpredictable opposition like Uruguay, as they will turn those types of mistakes into opportunities.<\/p>\n Uruguay made their run through the tough South American CONMEBOL tournament, losing only to Argentina and Brazil and qualified by defeating Costa Rica in a playoff. This means Uruguay is not seen as much of a threat, but it\u2019s not a pushover either. It\u2019s a country rich in tradition for the game, which has produced masterful players like Diego Lugano, Walter Gargano and Luis Suarez.\u00a0 But this team is relatively young and they are not at the level of France. Oscar Tabarez is creative and his team will take their chances, but whether they can come up with enough tricks to beat the likes of France is unknown.<\/p>\n With young guns like Forlan looking to make a name, Uruguay will fight until the end, and will score just enough to keep them in it.<\/p>\n Perennial favorite France rides into the finals on controversial circumstances after a playoff against Ireland, but are happy to be making an appearance. The talent is there but they have been vulnerable on foreign ground.<\/p>\n Coach Domenech is under immense pressure and refuses to call up players like Sebastian Frey and Phil Mexes, instead relying on veterans like Franck Ribery, Yohan Gourcuff, and Karim Benzema who has not played as expected. There are serious concerns surrounding the side after struggles in qualifying rounds.<\/p>\n The French are notorious slow starters and will need to jump out of the gate quickly. There will be some tough games for stars Thierry Henry, Nikolas Anelka, William Gallas, mentally and physically, but they are a group that can get them through.<\/p>\n Since Zidane\u2019s retirement, the French have lacked the inventiveness and style that used to make them such a strong international side, and have really failed to inspire in both their World Cup qualifiers and Euro 2008.<\/p>\n With Uruguay\u2019s solid defense it will be difficult for France to create opportunities.<\/p>\n Uruguay on the other hand, may just have some of the creativity there to upset the favorites in this game and slip the winning goal past them.<\/p>\n
\nMatchup<\/strong>: France v Uruguay
\nDate<\/strong>: Friday, June 11, 2010
\nTime<\/strong>: 2:00 PM EST
\nVenue<\/strong>: Cape Town<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n