Brazil vs France Match Preview

June 29, 2006 Brazil are a best-priced 5/6 to beat France when the two sides clash on Saturday in what should be an enthralling quarter-final tie.
 
Interestingly, and perhaps surprisingly, there's nothing to choose between them based on the stats from previous meetings. Of the seven games in question, they have won two games apiece, three ended all square, with Brazil scoring a collective total of ten goals to France's nine. Closely matched indeed.
 
In two of their last three encounters, France have prevailed. The most emphatic - and controversial - was Les Bleus' 3-0 victory over the Seleção in the 1998 World Cup Final in Paris, a defeat which Brazil will still be keen to avenge.
 
France left their lamentable Group G form behind - a group from which they were lucky to progress - when beating Spain 3-1 in the last 16 in Hanover. That was a surprisingly emphatic result in favour of Raymond Domenech's men, who gave no indication during the group stage that they were about to deliver such a positive display.
 
In the early exchanges of that match, Spain were playing with a real swagger and, after going ahead following a David Villa penalty, one suspected that it might be one-way traffic.
 
However, to their credit, the French demonstrated resolve, something which had been completely absent in their three previous matches in this tournament, and they gradually grew in confidence after the irrepressible Frank Ribery equalised four minutes before half-time.
 
Although France went ahead by way of a fortuitous free-kick following a theatrical reaction by Thierry Henry, which should have seen the Arsenal man sent off, frankly, it has to be said that France were ultimately the better, mentally stronger side on the night. And Zinedine Zidane rolled back the years with a superbly taken goal two minutes into stoppage time to seal the victory.
 
Brazil have won all four games thus far, conceding just once in the process. But while their last two winning scorelines read emphatically - a 4-1 beating of Japan and a 3-0 last-16 victory over Ghana - the Samba Stars have yet to impress. It may be that they are steadily coming to the boil and holding a bit back for when the going gets tough, as it will on do Saturday, but the bottom line is that they look vulnerable.
 
Ghana, minus the heartbeat of their side, Michael Essien, had untold chances against Carlos Alberto Parreira’s charges in Dortmund. The Black Stars had 18 shots on goal during the match, and they appeared to rattle their illustrious rivals.
 
There just hasn't been the fluency to Brazil's play with which they have become synonymous, and which saw them crowned world champions for the fifth time in Korea/Japan four years ago. The brilliant Ronaldinho has so far failed to showcase his plethora of footballing talents, while Ronaldo is hitting the target but his overall contribution during matches leaves much to be desired.
 
It may well be that I will end up with egg on my face and Brazil will turn the screw in this match and duly book their semi-final place. However, as it stands I am inclined to recommend taking a chance and backing France at a tempting 4/1 with Bet 365 in the match result market.
 
If in a similar mood as when beating Spain, France are capable of rising to the occasion and oupointing Brazil in my opinion. Both sides possess some stars who are not shining as bright now as they once were. However, it's Brazil's ageing wing backs that might prove to be the weakest overall link in this match.
 
Les Bleus have a number of pace-rich players. Obviously, Henry will prove a handful for the Brazilian defence, especially if he attacks from wide positions, so as to exploit the diminishing powers of the likes of Cafu and Robert Carlos. Meanwhile, midfielders Florent Malouda and Frank Ribery, in particular, will really test the Seleção's defensive frailties.
 
France, it would seem, have the requisite va-va-voom to beat Brazil.
 
Verdict - 1pt France in the match

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