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Livegoals > Worldcup 2010 > Game Predictions > France vs Mexico

Game Predictions

France

MATCH # 20

17-06-2010
20:30 CET
Peter Mokaba

Mexico

Preview | Prediction | Recap | Game Center | Best Match Odds

France v Mexico Game Prediction

Wed 16 Jun 2010

Although France are the better side player-for-player, it's clear that Raymond Domenech does not have a happy camp at this World Cup, with Florent Malouda being dropped for the opening match against Uruguay despite having an excellent season for Chelsea.

It was also surprising to see Sidney Govou start in attack for Les Bleus, given that the Lyon forward has had a poor season and Thierry Henry could be in line for a recall. It might not stop Mexico from getting a share of the spoils, especially as they produced an impressive performance against South Africa and probably deserved to win on the balance of play.

The main problem for El Tri is also their lack of firepower, although Rafael Marquez should negate the influence of Abou Diaby in the middle of the park, with the movement of Gio Dos Santos and Carlos Vela set to give a creaking French defence a few problems. At the odds, the value pick has to be Javier Aguirre's team to avoid defeat at the very least.

PREDICTION: MEXICO +0 @ 2.0 on Asian Handicap with bet365

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Power Rating

Squad (3.5/5)
Maybe it is the absence of Zinedine Zidane, but there is not the same sense of awe about the personnel. Euro 2008 marked the end of a great era in French football and, despite the brilliance of Ribery and Benzema, their successors sometimes look second rate.

Squad (3/5)
Many in Mexico think that it lacks the quality of earlier World Cups, especially in 2002, but as it proved in the Gold Cup, if the squad is motivated and properly directed they can inflict real damage.

Coach (2/5)
A harsh verdict for a man who so stunningly confounded the sceptics in Germany but the catastrophe of Euro 2008 should have been the signal for Raymond Domenech to leave the football stage and concentrate on his passion for amateur dramatics.

Coach (4/5)
Probably the best Mexico could have. Aguirre knows the players, has transformed virtually every group of footballers he has encountered and would be confident of doing the same in South Africa.

Attack (3.5/5)
The three-pronged strike force of Henry, Anelka and Ribery not only looks long in the tooth, it has failed to produce very much. However, the talent is there and if it can be marshalled, it could be very effective.

Attack (3/5)
When it is going well, Mexico look pretty good going forward. They were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes in a friendly against Bolivia and destroyed the United States on their own soil. But they can sometimes be lightweight.

Defence (3/5)
If Hugo Lloris in goal and Patrice Evra at left back represent class in a World Cup, it is hard to say the same about Boumsong or Julien Escude while Vieira does not offer the protection he once did.

Defence (3/5)
Aguirre has drilled the importance of clean sheets as Mexico prepare for South Africa and after the embarrassing lapses under Eriksson, his charges are beginning to respond.