France South Africa Betting – With Little To Play For, Les Bleus Snatch Win Over Hosts
France has been the online betting bust of the opening stages, with former legends calling them out for a lack of teamwork, and they have a manager who knows he’s being replaced after the World Cup is over. That should be after France’s Group A match against the hosts from South Africa, as both teams need big wins and some help in the other group match. France should get the win, but it won’t be by enough.
- What: World Cup Betting
- When: Tuesday, June 22nd, 10:00 AM ET
- Where: Free State Stadium, Bloemfonttein
- Key Stats: France has won two and drawn one of their three meetings with South Africa
The Storyline
Both teams need a quasi-miracle to make it to the next round, and the French may be the disappointment of the first round after their 2-0 loss to Mexico. The South Africans were routed 3-0 by Uruguay and had their keeper sent off. Both need to win to have any shot of going through, but they’re also behind on goal difference, meaning that the winner would have to win by five goals, at least, and that’s not counting the result of Mexico-Uruguay.
Who Has The Edge On Offense: France South Africa Betting
The French attack has been toothless, failing to score a goal in this tournament, and it looks like they’ve never played together before. Manager Raymond Domenech hasn’t helped any with some truly strange selections, for example, leaving Theirry Henry on the bench for the whole game. Nicolas Anelka has been horrible and was subbed at halftime of the Mexico game, and he surely can’t get another shot.
Bafana Bafana didn’t sit back on their laurels against Uruguay, but the gulf in talent is easy to see, especially in the attacking third. Their best chance was a header wide of goal after 66 minutes by Katlego Mphela, and it’s obvious that the South Africans don’t have much in terms of quality finishers. Steven Pienaar has been muted for Bafana Bafana, but the tricky midfielder has been shadowed in every game.
Edge: Draw
Who Has The Edge In Defense: France South Africa Betting
Terrible is the best way to describe how Les Bleus’ defending has been. Eric Abidal is playing out of position in the middle, and he was dragged all over the pitch against Mexico, conceding a penalty, and he played Javier Hernandez onside for the Mexicans’ first goal. Again, it was another puzzling decision by Domenech to play Abidal alongside William Gallas, and it ultimately may be the one that cost France a place in the second round.
Keeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off in the 76th minute for fouling Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, and it may have been a harsh decision. Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will also miss this match through suspension after getting his second yellow card in as many matches. The South Africans work hard, but it’s going to be tough for them to slow down even an anemic French attack without their first-choice players.
Edge: France
Notable Injuries – France South Africa Betting
Les Bleus have been playing like they’re injured, but they’ll have a clean bill of health, as will South Africa.
Edge: Draw
Totals – France South Africa Betting
The way that these offenses have been playing it’s not likely that it’ll be a scoring bonanza, despite the fact that both need to win to go through.
Pick: Under 2
France South Africa Betting Prediction & Outlook
France is a +100 favorite in this World Cup contest, while South Africa is listed at +265, and a draw is rated at +240. The French have won two and drawn one of their three meetings with South Africa, who is in danger of becoming the first host country to be eliminated in the first round. It’s not that France is a dangerous team by any means, and it’s obvious that they’re tuning out Domenech, who will be fired after the tournament and replaced by Laurent Blanc. People figured that would have an effect on the French team, and now it’s a matter of honor and pride. South Africa would have found it difficult to win before, but without Khune, it may be too much for them to pull off a sports betting upset.
