EURO 2012 Qualifier: France V Belarus – Friday, September 3rd

France V Belarus

Friday, September 3rd – 20:00 (LIVE on ESPN)
EURO 2012 Qualifier (Group D)

Since taking over the reign from Raymond Domenech, who left French football in turmoil, Laurent Blanc has been left with the tough task of restoring some pride to the French game following not only an abysmal performance at the latest FIFA World Cup in South Africa but also after the well speculated in-camp bust up between the management and players which resulted in Domenech’s stock as a manager dropping catastrophically and high profile members of the French team being suspended from national team affairs.

It will be some time before the footballing world forgets France’s embarrassing display in South Africa, with the reputation of the FFF – French Football Federation – currently on its knees. That could all change with an accomplished performance in the European qualifiers, and by that we mean a succession of impressive displays and not just a couple of opening wins over Belarus, whom they face in Paris on Friday, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. But it would be a start, a positive and significant step in the right direction for the French side who will be without Nicolas Anelka, Franck Ribery and Patrice Evra after they were suspended by the FFF, while Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, Panathinakos’ Djibril Ciss and Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac miss out through injury.

Of the 23 which travelled to South Africa as part of the French shambles, just nine remain as Laurent Blanc looks to inject his own style and feel on the French national team. He has already made the headlines back home by selecting four uncapped players for the two qualifiers with Belarus and Bosnia, with Kevin Gameiro (FC Lorient), Cederic Carraso (Bordeaux), Benoit Tremoulinas (Bordeaux) and Mamadou Sakho (PSG) all receiving an unexpected call from Blanc. It was also interesting to see Blanc call up two players seemingly cast aside by Domenech in Louis Saha and Karim Benzema, with the latter set to start against Belarus on Friday.

We think it’s fair to say that French football is no undergoing somewhat of a transitional period, but Laurent Blanc’s squad is still littered with quality so anything less than three points against Belarus at home would be a major shock. In defence they have two dangerous and creative wingers in Arsenal duo Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy, while Philippe Mexes robust manner should fill keeper Hugo Lloris with confidence. Abou Diaby didn’t really feature a great deal under the old regime but could be in line to start in that holding role, whilst the form of Florent Malouda for Chelsea will please coach Blanc, with the French lacking any sort of cutting edge in the final third in South Africa.

We aren’t expecting fireworks from the off, more along the lines of something clinical and decisive from Laurent Blanc’s new look French side. Belarus have been a tricky opponent down the years, a side with great ability on the floor and one never afraid to throw men forward into attacking moves. Bernd Strange’s players will try to capitalise on France’s current predicament and situation, but the French should have enough in their lock to see of the Belarusian challenge.

France are around 1/3 (1.36) to begin Laurent Blanc’s regime with a win, and they should, but those odds are far too slim for our liking. The team struggled in a recent friendly in Norway, when losing 2-1 in Blanc’s first game in charge, and we reckon it could be another close run thing as the French wheels slowing begin in motion.

France are 3.50 with SkyBet to WIN by just the 1 Goal – 4.00 with Bet365 to do so by 2 – while France to WIN whilst keeping a Clean Sheet can be had at odds of 1.91 with PaddyPower. All three interest us and are worth nibbling at.

Matt’s Selection:

France to WIN by 1 Goal – 3.50 SkyBet
(Or)
France to WIN by 2 Goals – 4.00 Bet365

France to WIN to NIL – 1.91 PaddyPower