Uruguay vs France FIFA World Cup 2018 – Lineups, Predictions & Stats Preview 6 July 2018
Uruguay and France are amongst the most consistent teams throughout the group stages of the 2018 World Cup. Neither has lost any game nor has been red carded. Each has a balanced team, with a 50-50 record on possession. This is a hard bet, which makes it an interesting game to watch.
Uruguay Probable Lineups and Stats
There is probably one unknown for the Uruguay starting lineup and that is Edison Cavani. If he manages to recover in time the starting line-up will remain the same, taking the 4-1-2-1-2 playing formation. Fernando Muslera will start in goal, defended by Diego Laxalt, Diego Godin, Sebastian Coates and Martin Caceres, as Lucas Torreira takes up the defensive midfield. This back five have only conceded 1 goal in the whole tournament.
Matias Vecino and Nahitan Nandez will take command in the midfield as well as guiding Rodrigo Bentacur to feed Luis Suarez and the injury scare Edison Cavani up front. This playing style is central attacking, which gives room for Cavani and Suarez to open up the wings to create scoring chances for the team.
With only one yellow card, Uruguay is the most disciplined team in the tournament so far. They also have a balanced play of 49% average ball possession with runs of 463 passes and 100% wins in all their games in the competition. Their 7 goals cushion gives them 1.75 goals per game which are an assurance that there will be goals in their next match.
France Probable Lineups and Stats
Didier Deschamps will surely start his captain, Hugo Lloris, in goal. The 4-2-3-1 formation seemed to have worked in their last 3 games, so he will keep it for this one as well. Lucas Hernandez will start on the left, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane to close down the middle as Djibril Sidibe to cover the right back.
N’golo Kante and Paul Pogba will organise the game in the middle as Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe form the attacking support to Olivier Giroud. If the fluidity of the Uruguayans proves too smooth to handle, Ousmane Dembele, who is good on the counter, might be brought in to replace Matuidi as number 11.
Despite a superior ability to hold the ball in their last 4 games and a better goal conversion rate, the French ability to create chances is minimal compared to their counterparts. They are reliant on their flank geniuses to make run-ins. Their +3 goal difference and frequent bookings will be dangerous if they do not create more scoring chances.
Uruguay v France – Head to Head
Both teams are World Cup champions in different eras. History judges them as equals as they have maintained a more balanced show of might. Out of the 7 times, they have met, there are 4 barren draws (2 of them in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups), Uruguay has won twice and France once. Uruguay’s best championship was the 1930 and 1950 editions where they won. France best outing was the 1998 tournament where they were winners. The 2002 World Cup was the least favourite for both teams.
Expert Tip
Each team has scored in every game except for France against Denmark, which means there is a high probability that there will be goals, although the Uruguayans will fiercely guard their goal. The game will be evenly balanced in possession with a prediction of 2-1 in France’s favour. This is because this game will be won from the midfield. The French game plan is in the midfield and striking; a transitional game, which is prone with fouls. This might cost them at least 2 yellow cards. Uruguay has mastered the attacking football but the potential absence of Cavani might just cost them the game.
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