URUGUAY v FRANCE
Live on ITV. Friday July 6, kick-off 3pm
THE tournament's joint tightest defence faces one of the most fearsome frontlines in this quarter-final clash.
Uruguay have conceded just one goal in their four matches so far – Pepe's header in the 2-1 win over Portugal last time out – and their hopes of progressing rest on that rock-solid backline marshalled by Atletico Madrid centre-backs Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.
Edinson Cavani scored both goals against Portugal but his likely absence with the calf injury he suffered in that match is a game-changer and breaks up his lethal partnership with Luis Suarez, with Cristhian Stuani set to deputise.
Oscar Tabarez's men will be content to sit deep, let France have the ball and wait for their moment to pounce but Cavani is pivotal to that gameplan and his absence deprives them of a key outlet.
The French enjoyed a 4-3 win over a brittle Argentina side in the last 16 but their latest South American assignment is a very different proposition.
Les Bleus will require patience and precision to find a way through and it could take a while. Kylian Mbappe lit up the last game with a two-goal standout display and the teenager will again have a vital role alongside Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
After a lacklustre passage through the groups Didier Deschamps' men at least showed flashes of what they're capable of in that Argies win and they'll need the same incisive performance here.
This tie could go beyond the 90 minutes but France's individual quality can see them through however long it takes.
Super Single
- Half-time draw (11-12, Unibet)
First Scorer
- Mbappe (11-2, 10bet)
Bonkers Bet
- Uruguay 0, France 1 (5-1, BetStars)
Bet Builder
- France to qualify
- Under 4 goals
- Most goals second half
- Under 10 corners
- (11-2, bet365)
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