France v Honduras Predictions & Betting Odds – World Cup 2014

Les Bleus to open with comfortable victory

Honduras v France
Honduras v France

France v Honduras World Cup 2014, 12th June Betting Preview
Given the way that France finished their World Cup preparations by beating Jamaica 8-0, punters will be flocking to back Les Bleus to do a convincing job against Honduras. But the recent history of France in the World Cup stage isn’t convincing. But surely there is no real threat from the Central Americans?

France v Honduras Betting Tips

The French are odds on favourites here, but it is worth taking a look and seeing what the stats say. Well, France have only managed to post one victory in their last nine World Cup group stage matches. That was back at the 2006 World Cup against Togo, but still, they went on to reach the World Cup final in that year. However, four years on at World Cup 2010, the French bombed badly in the group stage. They have only scored one goal from open play in their last six World Cup matches too. Also, since they got their hands on the trophy back in 1998, they have failed to score in each of their opening World Cup matches since. So it doesn’t make pretty reading for them.

However, their current status is far stronger. They actually look unified under Didier Deschamps. They were hit with having to lose Franck Ribery just ahead of the event, but there is still enough creativity and strength in the French squad to impress, and they are shaping up as a great dark horse in the World Cup outright winner market. The French are unbeaten in their last five matches, and the four wins they have picked up in that sequence have come with a clean sheet. It’s not a stretch to imagine that the French will win to nil here for a price of 10/11. The big options in the First Goalscorer market are Karim Benzema at 3/1 and Olivier Giroud at 4/1.

It is hard to see Honduras posing a big threat, as they have failed to score in three of their last six, picking up just one win in that sequence. The Central American outfit haven’t scored in their last four World Cup matches either, so they aren’t bring a lot of power to the proceedings. This will be their first ever match against the French, so unknown territory for them. They may have been buoyed by that draw against England ahead of the World Cup, but this is going to be a different level for them. Their top scorer through qualification was Jerry Bengston with nine goals in 12 matches, so he will be their best hope of getting on the scoresheet at 3/1.

France v Honduras Betting Odds

France 1/3, Draw 4/1, Honduras 12/1

New customers registering with Paddy Power can take advantage of a new welcome bonus which will affect this game. Open an account with them and you can take odds of 12/1 that both Benzema and Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain will score in their opening matches. There is also World Cup 2014 0-0 Bore Draw Insurance to be snapped up on group matches as well, so if a game ends goalless, that’s lost stake refunds on the Correct Score, Scorecast and First/Last Goalscorer markets.

France v Honduras Predictions

This should be a routine victory for France, because they do look to be in a much more stable frame of mind than they were four years ago. They are strong at the back, so expect them to win to nil, and both Giroud and Bezema are worth serious consideration in the anytime goalscorer market.